The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) is lending visible institutional support to Government’s newly declared National Fugu Day, as part of wider efforts to promote Ghanaian cultural heritage and strengthen demand for locally made products.
In a show of leadership by example, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, hosted a dinner on Tuesday, 24 February 2026, at his residence for visiting partner universities currently in Ghana for a series of joint engagements being hosted by UPSA this week.
The dinner, designed to welcome and deepen collaboration with the visiting institutions, also became an intentional cultural moment, one that reflected UPSA’s commitment to national development through practical, everyday choices that uphold Ghanaian identity.
During the reception, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the Government’s initiative encouraging Ghanaians and friends of Ghana to dedicate every Wednesday to the wearing of Fugu (Batakari), a traditional, handwoven smock widely associated with northern Ghana and increasingly celebrated nationwide as a symbol of cultural pride.
In a warm gesture of Ghanaian hospitality, the Vice-Chancellor presented locally made Batakari smocks to members of the visiting delegations, encouraging them to join UPSA, staff and students alike, in wearing the attire today as a statement of solidarity with Ghana’s creative economy and cultural artisanship.
The visiting partners, visibly excited by the thoughtful gift and the meaning behind it, expressed appreciation for the cultural significance of the Batakari and affirmed their readiness to wear the smocks today, Wednesday, in support of Ghana’s vibrant heritage, craftsmanship, and artistic expression.
Government’s National Fugu Day initiative, announced through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts and signed by Sector Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie, positions the Batakari as more than traditional clothing: a practical national symbol that can strengthen identity while stimulating local production, trade, and value retention within Ghana’s creative industry.
For UPSA, the moment aligns with the University’s broader ethos of coupling education with national relevance, demonstrating that universities are not only centres of scholarship, but also cultural and civic institutions that can model patriotism in tangible ways.
As UPSA marks today’s “Fugu Day” on campus, the University invites the entire community, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of UPSA, to proudly celebrate Ghanaian culture, support locally made products, and keep Ghana’s heritage visible, valued, and thriving.
