Afua Asantewaa Explains Why She Couldn’t Announce Sing-a-thon Verdict

Afua Asantewaa Aduonum has offered reasons for her failure to communicate to Ghanaians the outcome of her attempt to break the world record for the longest singing marathon by an individual, noting it had to do with circumstances beyond her control.

In an interview, the broadcast journalist who has come under public backlash for “hiding” the results asserted that she had not disappointed Ghanaians in any way as she had lost access to her Guinness World Record (GWR) account.

According to her, she would not intentionally withhold the results from Ghanaians who gave her their unalloyed support during the attempt.

“There is no way I would hold on to a result such as this. I’m a very strong personality and I believe in not giving up and regardless of the outcome, be it successful or not successful, I would have still shared with Ghanaians anyways,” she told GhOne TV.

She continued, “I spoke with GWR. It had to do with my login account. I don’t have access. As I sit here, I don’t have an official document to post on my social media {as proof of my} disqualification letter. I can’t access my account. It’s the reason probably they went ahead of me to comment on somebody’s post and it went viral.”

Nonetheless, she apologized saying, “I haven’t disappointed Ghanaians. The only disappointment may be that they didn’t hear it from me first. I apologise, it’s beyond my control and I know that in due time, they will get to understand and believe my story.”

Afua’s bold step began on December 24 and ended on December 28, after singing Ghanaian songs for an impressive and straight 126 hours 53 minutes in the quest to break India’s Sunil Waghmare’s record of 105 hours in 2012.

In a reply last Friday to enquiries about the outcome of the attempt, GWR disclosed that it was unsuccessful.

“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 world record keeper announced.

Afua amidst criticisms for not sharing the outcome took to her various social media pages and said she received the news in the same fashion as all Ghanaians.

“The news of the outcome of my Sing-a-thon attempt came a few minutes as I was preparing to host a gala dinner and the launch of the Lebanese Scholarship Alumni Network attended by the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I will announce my next line of action in a few days.

“Thank you all for your love and support. When life hands you lemons, turn them into lemonade. Success is sweetest when snatched out of the jaws of defeat.”