Accra, Ghana — In the ongoing West African culinary rivalry, Nigeria’s Hilda Bassey remains in a league of her own. While a Ghanaian chef, Failatu Abdul-Razak, recently attempted a cooking marathon in Accra, her effort is still under Guinness World Records review — and importantly, it is not in the same class as Hilda’s globally recognized feat.
Hilda Bassey, affectionately known as Hilda Baci, etched her name into history when she successfully set the Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon in Lagos, Nigeria. Cooking tirelessly for over 90 hours, Hilda’s achievement captured worldwide attention and has been officially certified by Guinness.
By contrast, Abdul-Razak’s Ghanaian attempt — though spirited and patriotic — has not yet been ratified, and even if confirmed, it will stand in a different category altogether. Suggestions that the Ghanaian challenge was “bigger” overlook the fact that Hilda Bassey’s record is already the gold standard on the global stage.
Hilda’s feat was not just about endurance, but also about discipline, international recognition, and the sheer global celebration that followed. Abdul-Razak’s effort may contribute to Ghana’s pride, but it does not eclipse nor rival what Hilda has achieved for Nigeria and Africa at large.
As Guinness World Records considers Ghana’s submission, one fact remains undeniable: Hilda Bassey reigns supreme, and her record-setting cook-a-thon remains the benchmark for culinary endurance worldwide.
Chief Edet Isong, Publisher Newsday Newspaper
