By Albert Futukpor
Tamale, Feb. 27, GNA – The National Investment Bank PLC (NIB) has launched its “Fugu Wednesday Wear” initiative to promote the country’s cultural heritage and stimulate economic growth within the textile and creative industries.
The launch, held under the theme: “NIB Champions Ghana’s Heritage: Empowering Creativity, Financing Culture and Promoting Tourism”, is in line with the government’s declaration of “Fugu
Wednesday” designating Wednesdays as the day for wearing the traditional northern Ghanaian tunic (smock), known as Fugu or Batakari.
It seeks to promote national identity, celebrate cultural heritage, and support local weaving and textile communities, whose livelihoods depend on the production of the fabric.
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, who launched the initiative in Tamale on Wednesday, described Fugu as a powerful symbol of identity and heritage noting that it represented history, legacy, and the stories of the country’s ancestors.
She said choosing Made-in-Ghana fabrics strengthened the nation’s cultural economy and directly supported artisans and traders across the value chain.
She emphasised that, “Every time a Ghanaian chooses Fugu over imported fabric, a weaver in Tamale earns a living, a dyer in Daboya strengthens her household income, a trader at Makola or Kejetia thrives and a young designer finds opportunity.”
Chief Dr Doliwura Zakaria, Managing Director of NIB, said the initiative went beyond fashion to underscore identity, national pride, and economic transformation, adding Fugu would now form part of the Bank’s official corporate attire.
He reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment as a development-oriented financial institution to finance the textile value chain from cotton farmers and weavers to garment manufacturers and small and medium enterprises.
Chief Dr Zakaria announced plans by the Bank to introduce tailored credit facilities for textile producers and creative entrepreneurs while encouraging cooperatives to facilitate access to financing.
He added that the initiative would also promote other indigenous textiles such as kente positioning the country’s cultural diversity as an economic asset with export potential.
Madam Esther Agyemang Prempeh, Acting Chief Client Experience and Corporate Communications Officer of NIB, said heritage remained central to the Bank’s philosophy.
She emphasized that culture should not only be viewed as history but as an economic opportunity describing the launch as a meaningful partnership between the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and NIB to support artisans, designers, and creative entrepreneurs.
She noted that wearing Fugu on Wednesdays was more than a fashion statement, adding it was a call to reclaim pride and transform culture into economic opportunities.
Mr Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister commended the initiative describing it as groundbreaking and a major boost for cultural tourism in the region.
He recalled the earlier declaration of Fugu Day by President John Dramani Mahama and said the attire reflected the history, artistry, and vibrant cultures of the northern parts of the country.
He said Fugu played a central role in economic empowerment by creating jobs and supporting livelihoods describing the initiative as a catalyst for sustainable development in the region.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Linda Asante Agyei