by Kekeli K. Blamey
Ghanaian chef Ebenezer Smith has publicly apologized and clarified that he never officially applied for a Guinness World Records (GWR) Cook-a-thon attempt, following widespread claims that he was the new record holder.
In an interview with a Ghanaian media outlet, Chef Smith expressed his regret to the nation for the confusion caused by his earlier claims. On Tuesday, July 2, he held a press conference announcing himself as the new Cook-a-thon record holder, complete with what he presented as a GWR certificate.
However, in response to an inquiry by Ghanaian journalist Kwame Dadzie, the Guinness World Records confirmed that Chef Smith’s claims were false. The inquiry was prompted by doubts regarding the authenticity of Smith’s certificate and the lack of any official confirmation from GWR about his supposed achievement.
Suspicions intensified after reports surfaced indicating that Chef Smith had been arrested by individuals who allegedly sponsored the event. According to GWR, they did not know about his attempt and had not received any video evidence of the purported 802 hours and 25 minutes of cooking.
“I render a very big apology on this platform and I apologize to the world that I am so sorry. I am sorry, I beg the entire nation to forgive me,” Chef Smith stated.
This incident has sparked a broader discussion about the verification process for record attempts and the importance of transparency in such endeavors.
