Ghanaian activist hugs tree for 24 hours to break record and promote reforestation
A 23-year-old journalist from Kumasi, Ghana, Abdul Hakim Awal, has set a new world record for the longest time hugging a tree, lasting an incredible 24 hours and 21 minutes. Awal’s “tree-hug-a-thon” took place outside the Kumasi Cultural Centre, surpassing the previous record of 16 hours set by Ugandan environmental activist Faith Patricia Ariokot earlier this year.
Awal undertook this challenge to raise awareness about the importance of nature conservation in Ghana. To further emphasize his commitment, he pledged to plant a tree for every minute of his record attempt, resulting in a promise to plant 1,461 new trees.
The record attempt was a grueling test of endurance, as Awal was not allowed any breaks and had to remain standing with his arms wrapped around the tree for the entire duration.
Since the record now stands at 24 hours, it is classified as a ‘marathon,’ allowing future challengers a total of two hours of breaks per day to counter the effects of sleep deprivation.
Motivated by the impact of desertification on his family’s hometown of Garu, Awal hopes to launch a nationwide tree-planting initiative.
“We know how trees, an essential resource which the entire human race depends on, are becoming scarce in Ghana,” Awal said. “This attempt for the longest time to hug a tree spells out an important task to preserve human life by preserving trees.”
Awal’s achievement follows a trend of tree-hugging records set by Ghanaians this year. Forestry student Abubakar Tahiru recently set a record for the most trees hugged in one hour, with a total of 1,123. Additionally, a cork oak tree in France earned a Guinness World Records title this year as the world’s tallest cork oak, standing at 21 meters (68.9 ft).
Awal’s record-breaking hug serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of nature conservation and the urgent need for collective action to protect the environment.
