Accra, July 2, 2024 — Ebenezer Smith, a Ghanaian chef who claimed to have broken the world record for the longest non-stop cooking marathon, was arrested on Tuesday following a dispute with his sponsor.

Smith held a press conference announcing that he set a new record by cooking for 802 hours and 25 minutes, over a month straight. He presented a certificate, which he claimed was from Guinness World Records (GWR), confirming his achievement. However, GWR denied any knowledge of his attempt and stated that the certificate was not authentic.

The arrest followed a disagreement with his sponsor, Amadia Shopping Centre in Accra, where the cooking marathon took place. Smith is accused of violating his contract by not informing the sponsor about the alleged award.

Ghanaians on social media expressed surprise and disappointment over the controversy, which had initially gained significant attention and support when Smith claimed the record. Local media reported that Smith was released shortly after his arrest, although the exact charges remain unclear.

Smith’s attempt received backing from several local celebrities, despite its ultimate failure. 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.