A budding Ghanaian musician and chef on Wednesday ended her cooking marathon attempt that lasted 227 hours and two seconds, waiting to be recognized by the Guinness World Records.
Local media reported on Friday that Failatu Abdul-Razak, a mother of one, began her cooking marathon on New Year’s Day at a hotel in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region.
Thousands of Ghanaians, including top politicians, arts and media personalities, and travelers, have been thronging the venue to support her.
Social media platforms were also flooded with encouragement and admiration for Failatu.
The Ghanaian Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia praised Failatu, saying the attempt has put Ghana on the map and proves that it is possible to accomplish anything one sets their mind no.
“When I say it is possible, it means we can be the best,” Bawumia said.
“It is possible to beat the best in the world. That mindset is what Ghanaians need.”
According to the Guinness World Records website, the longest cooking marathon by an individual lasted 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds, which was achieved by an Irish chef named Alan Fisher in October 2023.
Under Guinness World Records guidelines, the contender is permitted a five-minute break for every continuous hour of activity.
These rest hours could be accumulated if not taken, and they are the only times the individual could use the washroom or sleep during the attempt.
During the past days, Failatu mainly prepared regional dishes, including jollof rice, one of the most popular cuisines in West Africa.
Failatu’s feat came a few days after another Ghanaian woman, Afua Asantewaa, attempted to break the Guinness record of the longest individual singing marathon by singing for 126 hours and 52 minutes