Media personality and legal practitioner Serwaa Amihere has urged women to resist the pressure to appear wealthy by purchasing counterfeit designer products.
She encouraged them to dress within their means rather than rush to keep up with others.
Speaking at The Complete Ignite Woman session on October 25, 2026, she stressed that financial growth takes time and women should not feel compelled to acquire expensive fashion items simply because they admire what others own.
Serwaa Amihere, who reflected on her own journey, said women should remain patient as they work towards their aspirations instead of spending money on imitation luxury goods to create an impression of affluence.
“You know what you are wearing is not gold; it’s copper, but you pack plenty on you. Why? It’s very offensive. All the things that you are wishing for, you will get them one day. Don’t rush it,” she said.
Amihere explained that some of the fashion items she can afford today were once beyond her financial reach, noting that her ability to purchase them came with time and personal progress.
“I am standing here; many years ago, I couldn’t afford to buy this shoe. You’re here and saying, ‘This dress is lovely’. Next year, I want to wear the white dress that person wore. Let me tell you, in a few years, even these dresses that we are wearing will be too cheap for you. You would want to buy a very expensive one, so don’t rush it,” she stressed.
The media personality also warned that carrying counterfeit designer accessories could affect how others perceive a person, particularly in professional environments where appearance may influence first impressions.
She used the example of a fake Birkin bag, explaining that someone who carries an imitation could give others the impression that they either cannot distinguish an original from a counterfeit or are deliberately trying to pass off a fake as authentic.
“In the meantime, stop buying the fakes of the things that you are seeing. You know, even those things form an opinion about you. So you are walking into an office, then you are holding a fake Birkin. Immediately, I know that it’s either you don’t know what you are carrying or you want me to think that you are carrying a Birkin,” she stated.
To illustrate the difference between genuine luxury products and their imitations, Serwaa Amihere pointed to the wide price gap between an original Birkin bag and some counterfeit versions on the market.
“The bag that costs over $25,000. Some people are selling it for GH₵300,” she said.
Rather than spend money on fake designer products, she encouraged women to consider second-hand clothing, particularly at Accra’s Kantamanto Market, where shoppers can find stylish outfits without paying high-end retail prices.
Drawing from her personal experience, she revealed that she and her sister would visit the market as early as 4 a.m. to get first access to clothes when traders opened fresh bales.
“If you go to Kantamanto, you’ll find very nice things early in the morning, 4 a.m. We’ve gone there before. My sister and I used to go there early, 4 a.m. That’s when they are opening the bale fresh. You get nice and exclusive. Even when you wear it, nobody will know that this thing is thrift, but who cares? You’re rocking it very nicely,” she divulged.
Her advice centred on making thoughtful fashion choices without allowing the desire to impress others to dictate spending habits. She maintained that women could still look stylish and presentable without owning expensive labels or pretending to possess items beyond their financial means.
Serwaa Amihere further encouraged women to concentrate on their personal development, expressing confidence that those who remain patient and work towards their goals will eventually be able to afford the luxury brands they admire.
“A few years to come, you’ll be able to afford the LVs and all of those things. But remember, how you present yourself will have people form an opinion about you,” she further stated.
Very offensive https://t.co/PZedG9SR4z
— Ameyaw Debrah (@AmeyawDebrah) October 25, 2026
