Here's why Afua Asantewaa Aduonum is paying GHC 7,792 to Guinness World Records.

Afua Asantewaa Aduonum finished her singing marathon last Thursday, having begun it on December 24, 2023, for 126 hours and 52 minutes. Her goal was to surpass the 11-year-old Guinness World Record set by the Indian, Sunil Waghmare.

Many Ghanaians are waiting for Guinness World Records to either disqualify her or name her the new Sing-A-Thon world champion in response to her incredible achievement.

But regrettably, unless Afua Aduonum pays GHC 7,792 to Guinness World Records for Priority Evidence Review, we will all have to wait for at least 13 weeks.
Many thought Aduonum was making a joke when she first declared her intention to break the record for the longest singing marathon held by an individual.

However, as the attempt gained traction and the word spread via traditional and modern media, people flocked to the Akwaaba Village site in Accra to witness and hear her sing.

The time when Guinness World Records will either declare Afua Aduonum the new record holder or disqualify her is revealed. Aduonum's 126 hours are intended to surpass Waghmare's 2012 record. Waghmare spent 105 hours singing.

Aduonum started her attempt in Accra on December 24, 2023, and had hoped to continue till noon on December 29, but was advised by her medical support team to end her attempt around 7:00 am due to worries about how much more stress her body could take.

While her supporters are optimistic that she would break the record because she sang for many hours beyond the current record time, that decision is the sole preserve of the Guinness World Records review team after she has submitted her attempt.

The organisation has an elaborate requirement for submitting attempts, and applicants would have to strictly follow the rules, failure to follow the step-by-step process of submission could result in a rejection.

And according to Guinness World Records, standard reviews take 12 weeks to conclude, but applicants can choose priority review which takes five working days, but comes at a cost.

“Once you have completed the record attempt and submitted your evidence, you can purchase our Priority Evidence Review service. You will jump the queue and find out the outcome of your record attempt sooner,” they say on their website.

“It’s fast: After we have received all your evidence, it will be reviewed within five working days (as opposed to the usual 12 weeks),” they added.

Applicants would have to pay £350, or $650 or €440 GHC 7,792 (plus VAT where applicable) for Priority Evidence Review service for existing titles.

“It’s worth it if you can’t wait 12 weeks to find out if you are Officially Amazing,” they added.

Afua disclosed yesterday night in an interview on UTV that she has not yet turned in her attempt since her team is still compiling the proof.

Hopefully, the attempt will be submitted by her and her team the following week, using a regular submission format.

After receiving the attempt, it would take an additional 12 weeks for Guinness World Records to make a determination.