'For My Country & For Fun': Ghanaian Who Sang For Nearly 127 Hours Straight Tells Her Story
13:23 21.01.2024 (Updated: 17:47 07.03.2024)
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Afua Asantewaa Owusu Aduonum, a broadcast journalist, entrepreneur, and prominent organizer of several acclaimed awards and reality shows in Ghana, has made headlines in late December for her remarkable attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest solo singing marathon.
The 33-year-old media personality captivated audiences with her extraordinary feat, commencing her singing marathon on December 24 and ending it on December 29, after persevering for an astounding 126 hours and 52 minutes. As her achievement awaits validation from Guinness World Records, Afua Asantewaa remains an inspiration to countless people around the world.
In a revealing interview with Sputnik Africa, Afua Asantewaa delved into her early aspirations, drawing poignant parallels between her upbringing and her current endeavors.
Reflecting on her childhood dreams of becoming a journalist and an advocate for women's rights, she emphasized her unwavering commitment to women's empowerment, resonating with her own experiences of resilience and determination instilled by her mother.
"I love to empower women because growing up I barely had anyone to empower me, except my mom," Asantewaa said. "I believe using the opportunity I have to empower young girls and more women is the right way to go."
Undoubtedly influenced by her mother's indefatigable spirit, Asantewaa seeks to emulate and spread the same empowering ethos, recognizing the transformative impact of such role models in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.
Asantewaa's audacious pursuit of the Guinness World Record for the longest individual singing marathon was propelled by her ardent passion for music and her ambition to elevate Ghanaian music on the global stage.
Leveraging her personal affinity for music, Asantewaa orchestrated a remarkable endeavor that transcended individual ambition and embodied a larger vision of promoting her nation's cultural heritage and musical prowess on a global scale.
"I know a lot of people love Ghanaian music, but we still want to get it to a level where my Ghanaian artists will be celebrated worldwide. So I decided to go in for the longest singing marathon because I personally love to sing. It was a good opportunity for me to do this for my country and also have fun personally," she stated.
In a landscape where the longest solo singing marathon record currently stands at 105 hours, set by an Indian named Sunil Waghmare in 2012, Asantewaa's ambitious undertaking stands as a testament to her indomitable spirit.
Reflecting on the moments that defined her grueling 126-hour and 52-minute endeavor, Asantewaa shared with Sputnik Africa the profound challenges she overcame, underscoring the resilience and fortitude that underpinned her extraordinary achievement.
"I started on a very good note. It was really, really impressive when I started until I got a vocal hitch. I lost my voice on the second day. I think that lasted for four minutes. There was a point where nobody could hear what I was singing until it recovered on its own," the singer said. "I think the second challenge will be, the third day into the fourth day, I was battling with sleep. Sleep didn't want to leave me alone."
A Unifying Force
Following the culmination of her record-breaking attempt, Asantewaa found herself at the center of a jubilant national celebration as the government and the Ghana Tourism Authority organized a festive after-party to honor her remarkable achievement.
The resounding impact of her achievement transcended individual accolades and enveloped the nation in an outpouring of pride and unity.
"At the end of the attempt, it united Ghanaians, it made their Christmas super special," she shared.
In the wake of her record-breaking feat, Asantewaa, Asantewaa's life has undergone a profound transformation. She was recognized by the Ghana Tourism Authority as the tourism ambassador for the West African country.
"That is a huge opportunity for me," Asantewaa said, commenting on her appointment as a tourism ambassador. "Ghana has been discussing and making sure that tourism gets to the level where we wanted to get to, so if I have been assigned after this record attempt, to be an ambassador to promote Ghana, then it's equally as satisfying an opportunity that I was given."
She added that the country's tourism authorities chose her as an ambassador because "they saw the effort that went into what I did, they saw the challenges."
With this esteemed title, she passionately promotes Ghana as a vibrant and enticing destination, using her global appeal to highlight and promote the country's rich tapestry of traditions, landscapes and cultural treasures.
Awaiting Guinness Validation
Amidst the widespread anticipation surrounding her Guinness World Record attempt, Asantewaa revealed that she has duly adhered to the guidelines stipulated by the esteemed record-keeping organization by submitting the requisite footage and content for review.
As the Guinness World Records administration deliberates over her awe-inspiring achievement, Asantewaa eagerly awaits the official validation of her monumental endeavor, which is poised to leave an indelible mark on the international stage.
"They gave us the guidelines as to how to upload the footage or the content we had, and we've done that, so they said we'll hear from them. They are reviewing my record attempt," Asantewaa told Sputnik Africa.
Looking to the future, Asantewaa exudes an unmistakable sense of purpose, outlining a vision that encompasses a vibrant fusion of entrepreneurship, cultural celebration, and tourism promotion. Fueled by her recent triumph, she envisions integrating the allure of Ghana’s cultural tapestry into a variety of events and initiatives throughout the year, perpetuating a rich narrative of national and continental pride.
Collaborating closely with the Ghana Tourism Authority, Asantewaa aspires to infuse the spirit of tourism into her diverse array of projects, illuminating the multifaceted allure of her nation and bringing it into the global spotlight.
"The future looks bright. I am so excited, this achievement came at the right time," she stated. "I'm ready to work."
Embracing the undeniable potency of music as a transcendent cultural force, Asantewaa explains its unifying potential, particularly in the context of African heritage and identity.
"When you look at the African continent, we have various languages, we have similar cultures. Even though we have various languages, we have similar muse and all that, and our style of music is similar. I believe that music brings us together," she assumed. "Even with the record attempt I did, I stated that I was doing this for my country, Ghana, but regardless, I had the entire African continent supporting me."
Afua Asantewaa concluded by saying that the most important impact of her world record attempt was "how Ghanaians have been united", "how Ghana has been on the map" and "how Africa is being discussed".
