When the word "Banku" is mentioned in Ghana, the first thought that comes to mind is food.

That is because Banku is a local dish eaten with pepper, soup or stew or a combination of the three. It is made from fermented corn dough and cassava dough.

However, Ghanaians have managed to make the word become part of the many homonyms. Banku has been used in place of the words; fake, counterfeit by Twitter users.

What is the context? Ghanaian rapper, Sarkodie has been trending alongside Banku. This is because the two are intertwined in this story.

Sarkodie tweeted a post that showed one @EphraimKwao selling Air Jordan 4 Retro Black Cat 2020 sneakers for GH¢300 when the original price is $1,068.

Suggesting that the sneaker being sold is not authentic, Sarkodie told @EphraimKwao, "Bruh don't do that."

Bruh don’t do that … https://t.co/j22Tr6jQpO pic.twitter.com/0Z5VnTDYW0

— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) February 10, 2022

Since then, images of Sarkodie with his sneakers highlighted have been circulating. Users have been speaking of the cost of original or authentic sneakers and the rise in the number of counterfeits on the market.

According to some, they have no other option than to go for the "Banku" sneakers as their pockets cannot afford the sneakers that are worth millions of Ghana cedis and thousands of dollars.

In recent times, images of sneakers with unknown brands such as ADIBAS, NIKES, and others have emerged. The originals are Adidas and Nike.

If 400 cedis sneakers be banku then 150 and 100 cedis squad dey wear akpele

— Prof (@IamDoe__) February 10, 2022

Wear what you can afford ooooooooooooo tom, whether ebi legit,banku,Tuo zaafi, Konkonte,Yam or Bankye

— Kwadaso Van Dijk (@ksimurphy) February 10, 2022

Banku dierr we all dey wear some buh banku wey e san so dey cost dierr massa alabraka in Kwesi Pratt's voice.

— NKAB (@NanAgyei4u) February 10, 2022

All sarkodie is trying to say is dont deceive us that's its legit let us know its Banku so we know what we're buying... As simple as that.... @FIRESTICKII

— Sweat_brown (@EmmanuelNiiTac1) February 10, 2022

While others are viewing the trend as a satire, others are offended by Sarkodie's tweet. They argued that not all Ghanaians have the wealth the rapper has been able to amass, therefore, will go for the inferior kinds.

According to some users, Ghanaians are aware of the Banku trend and do not need a reminder.

Me I don't see the essence of buying sneakers more than 500 cedis when I know people that are hungry. Yes it's good to spoil yourself once in a while but me I can't. I go wear banku then take the rest do giveaway to touch the lives of others.

— KALYJAY (@gyaigyimii) February 10, 2022

Aldo Gucci (House of Gucci) on Banku Gucci bags:

“The ones who cannot afford the real thing are blissfully unaware, the ones who can don’t care anyway. The subterfuge hurts no one. So what if these handbags are quality or cheap knockoff? Why spoil the fun with the truth?” pic.twitter.com/LoDXqZ4oBq

— Kenneth Awotwe Darko (@TheKennethDarko) February 10, 2022

Not everyone can afford expensive sneakers. There’s nothing wrong with wearing banku. If you can pull it off, go a head. Coming from a big celebrity like Sarkodie. I’m disappointed.

— Ɔbaasima Victoria (@toriious) February 10, 2022

You couldn’t detect an award was banku ….but shoe dii your mouth comeThese celebrities ankasa,they mess up pass

— Lady Sandra (@Lady_Xandy) February 10, 2022

Wait o..!! Sark fans is this ur Sarkodie wey u say he be better than Jay z Kanye west den drake nu? They won’t do this o..!! U Sarkodie saf, ur fans dey luv dey wear banku sneakers but u no surprise dem plus some before but ebi things wey no need wey dey wan take pressure dem

— Nana Fapimso (@pnorvinyo_17) February 10, 2022

When did you start wearing Autentic ?
Always give credit to #Firestick
Banku Obidi Jordan Otto Addo Suarez Adidas Ghana Card Nike Nana Aba Coutinho Maguire Zouma pic.twitter.com/SlB2u8Bqb2

— boy majid (@boymajid1) February 10, 2022