Ghana's Awal Abdul Hakeem who recently attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time to hug a tree has said his primary objective was not to only break a world record, but also to introduce Ghana to new species of trees which could be the next cocoa tree for the country.

Awal Abdul Hakeem, an Environmental activist, embraced a tree at the Kumasi Cultural Center for 24 hours to beat the current record.

He said his target was to do so for 48 hours but was unable due to heavy rains and other weather conditions.

The existing record for the longest time to hug a tree is 16 hours and 6 seconds, a feat achieved by Faith Patricia Ariokot in Kampala, Uganda, on January 16, 2024.

Speaking to Bonohene Baffuor Awuah on Ghana Kasa on Kasapa 102.5FM, Awal Abdul Hakeem said his tree-hugging was also to draw attention to environmental issues.

“I will not say I just went to hug a tree to break a world record, it was also to create awareness of the invaluable importance of trees in human life. The brain behind it was to introduce Ghana to new species of trees which can probably be the next cocoa. It was to highlight the Green Ghana agenda and encourage Ghanaians to partake in the exercise. The entire human race depends on trees, trees give us food, they give us medicine and in some places in Ghana, trees serve as schools. So trees have invaluable importance in human life, they give us oxygen and we give them carbon dioxide.”

Awal Abdul Hakeem began his world record-breaking attempt on 22nd May 2024 at 3:52pm and ended on 23rd May at 3:52pm.

He disclosed that he hugged the tree for 8 straight hours before he asked for water to drink, adding that he was very focused and nothing was going to distract him from realizing his goal.

Awal Abdul Hakeem expressed confidence that the Guinness World Records will validate his attempt making him the new record holder.

He revealed that following his record attempt, he’s gone through a thorough medical examination and has been cleared as very healthy.