On May 15, 2023, Nigerian chef Hilda Baci captured global attention by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. Her impressive feat of cooking for 87 hours and 50 minutes garnered widespread acclaim, inspiring many, including Ghanaians, to pursue their own record-breaking attempts.
A Surge of Record Attempts in Ghana
By the end of 2023, numerous Ghanaians, motivated by Baci’s success, embarked on various attempts to set new Guinness World Records. While many, including Afua Asantewaa, Chef Faila, Chef Smith, and Seidu Rafiwu Ace Liam, did not succeed, their efforts highlight a growing enthusiasm for achieving international recognition.
Successful Ghanaian Guinness World Record Holders
Despite some unsuccessful attempts, several Ghanaians have proudly raised their nation’s flag with their record-breaking achievements. Here are notable Ghanaians who have secured their place in the Guinness World Records:
- Ferdie Ato Adoboe: Fastest Backward Runner Ferdie Ato Adoboe made history in 1983 by becoming the fastest person to run 100 meters backwards, clocking in at 12.7 seconds. He later set another record in 1991 with a time of 13.6 seconds at Smith College, Northampton, MA. Adoboe holds a total of four Guinness World Records.
- Lewis Appiagyei: Youngest Motor Racing Simulator Record Holder At just 10 years old, UK-born Ghanaian Lewis Appiagyei set a Guinness World Record for the fastest lap on the Laguna Seca track in Gran Turismo 5 (PS3), completing it in 44.0 seconds. In 2020, at the age of 17, he was featured on Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ Africa list.
- Dickson Oppong: The Human Fountain Known as the “Waterman,” Dickson Oppong set the record for the longest time to spray water from his mouth, achieving 32.65 seconds on December 6, 2012, in Beijing, China. Sadly, Oppong passed away on October 11, 2021, in Germany.
- Daniel Ashitey Amarh and Richard Mensah Ofori: Obstacle Walk with Person on Head In 2011, Daniel Ashitey Amarh and Richard Mensah Ofori set a record for the fastest time to walk over ten obstacles while carrying a person on the head, achieving this in 21.83 seconds in Milan, Italy.
- Abdul Rashid: Longest Continual Drumming In 2009, Abdul Rashid set a Guinness World Record for the longest continual drumming, maintaining his rhythmic performance for 123 hours and 30 minutes.
- Evans Nana Ekow Aryee: The Hulk Powerlifter Evans Nana Ekow Aryee, based in Belgium, is a three-time Guinness World Record holder. He set the record for the fastest 400kg incline frame carry over 10 meters in 8.07 seconds on January 26, 2024, in Milan, Italy. He later broke his own record with a time of 7.89 seconds and set a new record for the most reps (9) in throne deadlifts totaling 1000kg.
- Abubakar Tahiru: Most Trees Hugged in One Hour In March 2024, Abubakar Tahiru, a forestry student at Auburn University, set a record for hugging 1,123 trees in one hour in Alabama, USA.
- Ace Liam: Youngest Male Artist The most recent record-holder, one-year-old Ace Liam, became the youngest male artist, surpassing the previous record held by three-year-old Dante Lamb since 2003. Ace set this record in Accra between January 18 and January 20, 2024.
These remarkable achievements by Ghanaians exemplify their dedication and perseverance in setting and breaking world records, inspiring future generations to reach for similar heights.
