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0 The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has issued a comprehensive clarification on the tax status of imported Fugu—traditional handwoven smocks from northern Ghana—after a wave of national curiosity and light-hearted controversy erupted following the visit of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to Lusaka.
President Mahama concluded a three-day state visit to Zambia on Friday, February 6, 2026, during which his wardrobe sparked conversation as much as his diplomacy.
In a gesture blending cultural pride and economic diplomacy, President Mahama and his delegation showcased the Ghanaian fugu, also known locally as batakari or smock, as their primary attire during official events.
The garments, rich in heritage and symbolism, ignited a social media storm and inspired commentary ranging from admiration to playful mockery.
Among those swept up in the buzz was Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who publicly expressed his admiration for the smock. “I asked my team to post on various platforms that were associated with that. The President of Zambia will be ordering more of that stuff for himself,” President Hichilema stated, in a nod to both fashion and African unity.
However, as the garment grew in popularity, questions over the tax implications of importing fugu from Ghana took centre stage.
The ZRA stepped in to clarify the legalities—especially under the evolving regulatory environment shaped by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In an official statement released via its verified social media channels, the ZRA confirmed that a single fugu imported for personal wear is exempt from import duties and taxes.
However, the situation changes significantly when import quantities suggest commercial intent.
“A Fugu imported from Ghana for personal use doesn’t attract duties and taxes, but 20 of those imported for reselling will have duty charged. If made in Zambia, applicable domestic taxes such as Turnover Tax are paid,” the ZRA noted in its post.
More Than a Garment: The Story Behind the Fugu
The sudden popularity of the fugu in Zambia isn’t merely a reaction to wardrobe aesthetics—it illuminates the deeper cultural power of clothing in African politics.
In Ghana, the fugu is steeped in historical gravitas. It has long been worn at festive, religious, and political events.
In March 1957, Ghana’s first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and his entire team wore fugu as a symbol of deep roots to the motherland during the declaration of independence and a clarion call towards the liberation of the entire African continent.
In northern Ghana, where fugu originates, the handwoven garment serves as a powerful symbol of leadership, spiritual protection, and regional identity. Historically, it was used as warrior attire and chiefly regalia, but today it is recognised as a national icon of Ghanaian heritage.
Notably, in pre-colonial Ghana, the fugu was worn as an armour of war.
One of the most symbolic examples of this comes from 1715, when Yaa-Naa Gariba, the ruler of Dagbon in northern Ghana, gifted a sacred fugu to Asantehene Osei Tutu I of the Ashanti Kingdom during peace negotiations.
This fugu, later known as the Batakari Kɛseɛ—literally “Supreme Batakari”—became a symbol of royal invincibility.
In historical lore, the Batakari Kɛseɛ was believed to imbue its wearer with mystical protection: no blade or bullet could penetrate the fabric when worn by a true king.
It has become a royal relic passed down through generations of Ashanti rulers to the present day.
Ghana’s pantheon of freedom leaders, including Yaa Asantewaa—the famed warrior queen who led battles against British annexation—was known to have worn a fugu into conflict.
Today, the fugu continues to transcend function, symbolising political resistance, unity, indigeneity, and Afrocentric pride across Ghana and the diaspora.
From Accra to Lusaka: Cultural Diplomacy in Action
President Mahama’s style was not incidental.
As part of his “Accra Reset” campaign—an initiative to renew bilateral relations and promote West African industry—his sartorial choices became a statement of intent.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also dressed regally in smock garb; the pair used imagery and symbolism to amplify their message of African self-reliance and internal trade growth.
Their fashion diplomacy appears to be working.
Several prominent Zambian designers and tailors have already begun fielding enquiries about adapting or replicating the smocks using local materials.
Ghana’s textile companies may soon find themselves in trade talks with Zambian retailers and fashion industry players to meet the new demand.
What started as viral banter—sparked by social media users jestingly calling the fugu a “blouse”—has matured into a serious conversation about tax policy, cultural heritage, and Pan-African economic development.
For now, Zambia’s customs regulations remain clear: one can walk through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport with a fugu and pay nothing—just don’t pack twenty.
