In a move stirring both nostalgia and national pride, Mr. Gabriel Agambila, founder of the cultural advocacy group Alagumgube, has issued a heartfelt plea to President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin: ban the wearing of suits during parliamentary sessions.
Mr. Agambila’s appeal, delivered with passion and conviction, drew attention to the economic and cultural implications of the current parliamentary dress code.
He argued that imported suits, often seen as symbols of status, do little to support Ghana’s local industries. “Every cedi spent on a suit is a cedi sent abroad,” he remarked, emphasizing that the cost of a single high-quality suit could provide a week’s worth of locally crafted smocks or Kentucky-style traditional outfits.
He explained how these Ghanaian garments, not only more affordable but also rich in heritage, could be rotated throughout the week, benefiting local textile producers, tailors, and artisans. For Mr. Agambila, the shift from foreign suits to indigenous attire represents more than just a change in fashion; it’s a strategy to channel economic benefits directly back into Ghanaian communities and revitalize the nation’s textile and garment sector.
But his vision extended well beyond the walls of Parliament. Mr. Agambila urged religious institutions to join the movement by declaring the last Sunday of each month as a “traditional fabric wear day,” encouraging worshippers across the country to don Ghanaian fabrics in a show of unity and cultural pride.
He also encouraged both public and private institutions to mandate the wearing of local fabrics every Friday, seeing this as a powerful weekly boost for the industry and a meaningful show of support for the nation’s artisans.
Education, too, featured in Mr. Agambila’s plan. He called on the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, to craft policies requiring the use of traditional or locally made fabrics as part of school uniforms or on special days, helping to instill cultural appreciation from a young age.
With his passionate advocacy, Mr. Agambila is not just questioning the dominance of Western attire in Ghana’s corridors of power; he is championing a movement that celebrates Ghanaian identity and seeks to empower local industries, one smock at a time.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
