Ghanaian Chef arrested over false Guinness World record claim

Ghanaian chef Ebenezer Smith, who claimed to have set a new world record for the longest non-stop cooking marathon, has been arrested following a dispute with his sponsor.

Smith announced at a press conference on Tuesday that he had cooked continuously for 802 hours and 25 minutes, presenting a certificate he alleged was from Guinness World Records (GWR).

However, GWR quickly refuted Smith’s claim, stating that the certificate was not authentic and that they had no record of his attempt.

GWR confirmed to a Ghanaian media outlet that they had not received any application from Smith regarding the record.

Smith was arrested by police shortly after his announcement due to a breach of a contractual agreement with his sponsor, Amadia Shopping Centre, located in Spintex, Accra.

The sponsor accused him of failing to inform them about the alleged confirmation of the award.

The arrest has caused shock and disappointment among many Ghanaians, as Smith’s cooking marathon had garnered significant attention and support from local celebrities earlier this year.

Smith remains in police custody and has not yet been charged or commented on the accusations.

This incident follows several attempts by Ghanaians to break Guinness World Records, including media personality Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, who attempted the longest singing marathon last year, and chef Failatu Abdul Razak, who attempted the longest cooking marathon in Tamale.

The current record for the longest cooking marathon is held by Ireland’s Alan Fisher, who cooked for 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds from September 28 to October 3 last year, surpassing the previous record held by Nigerian chef Hilda Bacci. Bacci’s record of 93 hours and 11 minutes had caused a sensation in Nigeria, with many people attempting to get into the record books for various feats.