Ghanaian Chef Arrested After False Claim of Breaking World Record for Longest Cooking Marathon

In Summary

• Chef Ebenezer Smith claimed he broke the world record for the longest non-stop cooking marathon, but Guinness World Records (GWR) denied the certificate's validity.
• Smith was arrested over a contractual dispute with his sponsor, Amadia Shopping Centre, after falsely claiming the record.
• Widespread shock and disappointment among Ghanaians who supported Smith's marathon, with many expressing their feelings on social media.
• Smith's earlier unsuccessful attempt and other recent Guinness World Record attempts by Ghanaians, including Afua Asantewaa Aduonum and Failatu Abdul Razak.
• current record for the longest cooking marathon is held by Ireland's Alan Fisher at 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds, surpassing Nigerian chef Hilda Bacci's previous record of 93 hours and 11 minutes.

ACCRA, GHANA- A Ghanaian chef, Ebenezer Smith, who claimed to have broken the world record for the longest non-stop cooking marathon by an individual, has been arrested following a dispute with his sponsor. Smith held a press conference on Tuesday, announcing that he was the new world record holder after cooking continuously for 802 hours and 25 minutes. He presented a certificate purportedly from Guinness World Records (GWR) confirming his achievement.

However, on Wednesday, a GWR spokesperson told BBC Pidgin that the claims were "not true" and added that the certificate was "not ours." GWR also stated in a response to a Ghanaian media outlet that they were unaware of Smith's attempt and had not received an application from him.

Shortly after his announcement, Smith was arrested by police over a dispute with his sponsor, the Amadia Shopping Centre in Spintex, Accra, where he held his cooking marathon in March. The sponsor accused him of breaching a contractual agreement by not informing them about the alleged confirmation of the award.

The case has caused widespread shock and disappointment among Ghanaians, many of whom had supported Smith's marathon. Smith, who remains in police custody and has not been charged yet, has not commented on the accusations.

His unsuccessful record attempt earlier this year attracted support from several local celebrities. In recent times, several Ghanaians have attempted to break Guinness World Records, including media personality and entrepreneur Afua Asantewaa Aduonum, who attempted the longest singing marathon last year. Earlier this year, another chef, Failatu Abdul Razak, attempted the longest cooking marathon in Tamale.

The current record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual is held by Ireland's Alan Fisher, who cooked for 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds from 28 September to 3 October last year, according to GWR. The previous record was held by Nigerian chef Hilda Bacci, who cooked for 93 hours and 11 minutes. Bacci's achievement caused a sensation in Nigeria, inspiring others to attempt record-breaking feats such as non-stop crying or singing.

The picture of Chef Smith holding the purported GWR certificate, which has since been deleted from his Facebook page, has only added to the controversy.