Record-breaking feats: Ghana’s pursuit of Guinness World Records and global recognition
The Guinness World Records, initially known as the Guinness Book of Records, emerged in 1955 and has sold over a hundred million copies across 23 languages in nearly a hundred countries.
Recent attempts by individuals like Nigerian Hilda Baci and Ghanaian Afua Asantewaa Aduonum to break records, like the longest cook-a-thon and sing-a-thon respectively, have sparked greater interest in Ghana.
Aduonum seeks to surpass the 2012 record of Indian singer Sunil Waghmare, who sang continuously for 105 hours.
Her attempt, which began on December 24, 2023, aims to conclude on December 28.
Ghana has a historical presence in the Records, dating back to 1969 across various categories.
One significant Ghanaian entry involved the first practical use of DNA fingerprinting in 1985.
Sir Alec Jeffreys used this technique to confirm the paternity of a Ghanaian child involved in an immigration debate.
The Volta Lake, formed by the Akosombo Dam, was recognized in 1969 as the world’s largest artificial lake by surface area.
Ghana is also home to the shiniest living objects globally, the fruit of the marble berry Pollia condensata, reflecting vivid metallic-blue colors.
Ghana’s 2004 general elections made it into the Records due to the volume of votes cast, part of a global tally involving over 1.1 billion voters across 58 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Ghanaian figures like Asamoah Gyan, known for missing crucial penalties in the World Cup, and acrobats Daniel Ashitey Amarh and Richard Mensah Ofori, who set a speed record navigating obstacles while carrying someone on their heads, have etched their names into the Records.
Additionally, the Boateng brothers, Kevin-Prince and Jerome, made history as the first siblings to play against each other in a World Cup game, representing Ghana and Germany respectively.
For anyone attempting to set or break a record, adhering to strict criteria is crucial. The Guinness World Records has specific guidelines to ensure the integrity, verifiability, and safety of the attempts.
They evaluate records based on measurable, breakable, standardizable, verifiable, and superlative criteria.
The Records have policies against activities causing harm, endangering animals, excessive eating, wastefulness, alcohol consumption in contests, illegal activities, and unsuitable records for minors.
With the rise of social media, more people might engage in record-breaking attempts.
Currently, apart from Aduonum’s ongoing sing-a-thon, a Nigerian lady has reportedly completed a singing marathon.
Aduonum, as of December 28, 2023, at 9:00am had sung for over 100 hours since starting on December 24.
