Mr Gabriel Agambila, the Founder of Alagumgube has appeal to President John Dramani Mahama and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to consider a ban on wearing of suits during Parliamentary Sittings.
He argued that suits were expensive imported items that primarily benefit foreign economies rather than supporting local Ghanaian communities.
Mr. Agambila in an interview said Ghana’s continued reliance on Western-style suits in official settings reflected colonial-era norms that no longer aligned with the country’s cultural identity.
Traditional Ghanaian attire such as kente, batakari (fugu), and other locally inspired designs are culturally expressive, dignify, and suitable for formal occasions.
These garments carry historical meaning, communicate social values, and reflect indigenous craftsmanship.
He said encouraging local attire in state institutions would affirm national pride, cultural confidence, and authenticity in governance.
Mr. Agambila pointed out that the cost of one high-quality suit could instead purchase around five different smocks or Kentucky-style traditional outfits.
These local alternatives, he said, could be worn throughout the week while channeling money back into the constituencies and boosting the domestic textile and garment industry.
Mr. Agambila, who has previously advocated for greater use of made-in-Ghana fabrics in public institutions, extended his call beyond Parliament, urging religious bodies across the country to designate the last Sunday of each month as a “traditional fabric wear day” to encourage widespread adoption of local attire.
He appealed to public and private institutions to make wearing Ghanaian fabrics compulsory for workers every Friday, a move he believed would significantly grow the local fabric industry and create more economic opportunities for artisans and producers.
Mr. Agambila called on the Minister of Education to implement policies requiring the use of traditional or locally made fabrics in schools, either as part of uniforms or on designated days.
