The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has reaffirmed the growing importance of Fugu as a driver of job creation, cultural preservation and tourism development.

She made the remarks during a joint stakeholder engagement with smock producers and dealers in Accra.

The meeting was co-led by the Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, and focused on strengthening the Fugu value chain, addressing production challenges and expanding market access.

Producers at the meeting raised concerns about access to raw materials, financing constraints, distribution bottlenecks and the need for broader promotion of Fugu in schools and public institutions.

The engagement comes at a time of renewed global interest in Ghana’s indigenous textiles, following President John Dramani Mahama’s recent appearance in Fugu during a state visit to Zambia.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts reiterated its commitment to working closely with industry stakeholders to position Fugu as a strong symbol of national identity and a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.