Saturday, 27 July

GWR sing-a-thon: Asantewaa's valiant attempt 'unfortunately' falls short

Entertainment
Afua Asantewaa Aduonum in an emotional moment during her 2023 singing marathon

According to the Guinness World Records (GWR), Afua Asantewaa O. Aduonum's singing marathon, after auditing failed to meet the mark. 

The Ghanaian journalist and entrepreneur embarked on her GWR sing-a-thon on December 24, 2023. She sang for five days, covering 126 hours and 52 minutes. 

Today, Friday, February 23, 2024, replying to an X post by one Obaa Afya Hipsy, concerning Asantewaa's GWR attempt, the verified GWR X account said Asantewaa was ultimately unsuccessful.

The GWR also said the tourism ambassador's fee paid to expedite the evaluation of her sing-a-thon had also been reimbursed.

Furthermore, the London-headquartered GWR acknowledged the remarkable impact Asantewaa's attempt had had on fans and observers. 

Finally, the GWR wished Asantewaa the best with subsequent GWR adventures.

"Unfortunately Afua's Guinness World Records attempt for the longest singing marathon was not successful, but we hope that she will make another attempt soon. We've seen how inspirational it has been for her fans. The evidence check had already begun before Afua requested priority service, so we refunded her payment earlier this month. We wish Afua the best of luck with any future record attempts," the Guinness World Record wrote.

The standing GWR singing marathon record is 105 hours from 2012, achieved by India's Sunil Waghmare.

Asantewaa's sing-a-thon at the Akwaaba Village, Airport City, Accra, drew massive attention and attendance from fellow citizens and celebrities. She was even visited by the Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

What Bawumia said when he showed up at Asantewaa Aduonum's 'Sing-a-thon'  World Record attempt - OnuaOnline| L-R: Asantewaa and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

| Individuals keeping vigil as Asantewaa laboured in her Guinness World Records singing marathon attempt

| Asantewaa's sing-a-thon inspired patriotism 

With her December 2023 historical performance, the mother of three was eyeing five accolades: the longest singing performance, the first Ghanaian and African female to perform for five continuous days, the longest lasting musical event in Ghana and Africa, the first musical show to attract eight DJs in continuous performance across five days, and the first female to attempt a singing marathon.

On February 1, Asantewaa revealed to Joy News her team had paid US$750 to fast track the review of her sing-a-thon evidence.

In an interview with Accra 100.5 FM's after-drive programme, Akwaaba, Mrs Asantewaa Aduonum revealed, unlike others, she favoured multiple people making attempts in the same GWR category, seeing as "the slightest thing can disqualify" an aspiring record holder. 

Optimistic for positive results from the GWR, she saw the power trip and other hiccups during her attempt impacting the evaluation period only, and not her aspiration.

Asantewaa is yet to publicly comment on the news of her unsuccessful Guinness World Records singing marathon attempt, as the GWR is yet to reveal her blunders. 

Meanwhile, the result for Chef Failatu Abdul-Razak's cooking marathon in Tamale, between January 1 and 10, 2024, is yet to be announced. 

Ongoing also is Chef Smith's Spintex-based cook-a-thon. Sometimes called Millennium Chef Smith, he has cooked for 23 days and more than 500 hours. 

Source: classfmonline.com/Prince Benjamin