In December 2023, when Afua Asantewaa embarked on her Singathon, I was inspired, firstly, to challenge myself as a passionate reader and secondly to advocate for reading and dyslexia (a learning disorder.)

In my attempt to gain a fair knowledge of Guinness World Records and what goes into it, I reached out to her and later to Chef Faila on social media because I didn't know anyone who knew them personally. Well, they didn't reach out. I don't know why and I can't blame them. They were not obliged to. For all you know they never got my messages.

As a very positive and optimistic person, I decided to go ahead with it. God blessed me with a wonderful husband who was ready to support anything I did. Together with him, my family and my team, we started, knowing nothing about it.

In December 2024, we were just two weeks away from the start date. Earlier, I had received a call from Mr Frederick Boakye, who did the Dancathon and is currently a record holder for the longest time spent hugging a tree. He had seen my poster and reached out to me. That was the turning point in the whole project.

One day, we were returning from a medical centre in Accra, where we had signed an ambassadorial deal for them to attend to me during my Readathon, when I decided to call Boakye Dancathon's manager, his wife, for a meeting.

That very day, at the meeting which they attended with so much zeal, we realised that we were not even half prepared for the Readathon. We were shocked and equally amazed at the things we heard that day. We were introduced to Yaw Junior, who attempted Drummathon and other people, who later became very instrumental in our record attempt.That very day at that meeting, we decided that we needed to postpone the event.

Now, what am I driving at?

The point I am making here is that, Guinness World Records, especially if you are attempting a marathon, is very costly. It is not cheap.

We tried to get sponsorship but to no avail. Ask me what happened with the medical centre. They cancelled the deal the moment we postponed the event. Who can blame them? They had their reasons.

I had launched the event earlier in 2024 and we had started spending on its preparation, so there was no turning back.

Along the way, we got the support of the following institutions, the Ghana Library Authority, who gave us their ultramodern facility at Airport to use as our venue, the Ghana Police Service, Airport, East Legon Divisions, the Ghana Ambulance Service, 37, who assured us that they would be available if we needed them, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), GDA Media and the Ghana Army, specifically the Engineer Training School and 48 Engineer Regiment, who supported me because my husband is a military man.

My school, Field Engineer 'A' and my previous school, 5BN Basic School, as well as other sister schools, also supported me.

Family, colleagues, friends, acquaintances, strangers and a lot of well-meaning Ghanaians also supported me but trust me, the burden was still heavy.

My husband suffered the most. Help me thank S/SGT Kottor Godfred, my husband. I could never, ever have survived the strain without his support.

We didn't suffer because we tried to break a Guinness World Record, we suffered because we went into something without knowing anything about it.

A year on, the narrative has not really changed. Life is quite calm and we are gradually recovering from the financial strain.

The million-dollar question, which people started asking even before we submitted our evidence, is, "Is the result in?"

Well, partially, yes.

Guinness World Records has asked for more evidence to confirm certain things in our submission and I find myself asking how prepared I am to go through all the stress that comes with working on the evidence, organising timekeepers, witnesses and everyone else concerned to put it together, considering how much time and money went into the first submission.

A note to individuals attempting to break Guinness World Records

Personal Responsibility: Every individual attempting to break a Guinness World Records title must understand that the entire process rests on their shoulders. This includes making all the necessary arrangements and bearing the financial responsibilities associated with the attempt.

Evidence and Documentation: Qualifying for a Guinness World Records title is strictly evidence-based.

You must provide credible and verifiable evidence, including videos, footage, photographs and all other necessary documentation required to prove that your attempt meets the specific requirements of the record you are trying to break.

Guinness World Records' Authority: Guinness World Records is under no obligation to recognise every attempt or automatically award you a record title.

Its adjudication team reserves the right to determine whether your attempt qualifies for recognition based on the supporting evidence and documentation you submit to the organisation.

Therefore, before embarking on any record-breaking attempt, ensure that you fully understand the requirements, responsibilities, financial implications and evidence-gathering process involved.

In conclusion, attempting such a grand record in itself is bravery enough, as to whether you actually break the record or not is a story for another day. If and when you ever decide to break a record, brace yourself and remember that, it is tough and expensive, but you can, if you really want to. Shallom.

Morkpokpor Fiador, Teacher.