VIDEO: ‘President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia Are to Blame’ – Ola Michael on Chef Smith’s Guinness World Record Controversy

Ghanaian media personality Ola Michael has sparked controversy by blaming Chef Ebenezer Smith’s fraudulent actions on the poor governance of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

During his appearance on UTV’s United Showbiz on Saturday, July 6, 2024, Ola Michael argued passionately that the lack of job opportunities and inadequate remuneration for the youth were the main reasons behind Chef Smith’s decision to deceive the nation with his supposed attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon.

Ola Michael, who also hosts Neat FM’s midmorning show, contended that if there were sufficient jobs and fair wages for the youth, Chef Smith would not have committed such a deceitful act. He equated Smith’s actions to a heinous crime that betrayed the trust of the entire nation.

These remarks sparked a heated debate among the show’s pundits, with many disagreeing with Ola’s perspective. Nonetheless, Ola Michael stood firm, insisting that systemic failures in governance were to blame for Smith’s actions.

Chef Ebenezer Smith, known as Chef Smith, conducted a cooking marathon from February 1 to March 6, 2024, at the Amadia Shopping Centre in Spintex, Accra. On July 2, he announced that he had set a new world record. However, this claim was quickly debunked by the Guinness World Records (GWR), which clarified that they had not received any application from Smith and that the certificate he presented was not legitimate. The actual record for the longest cooking marathon remains with Alan Fisher of Ireland.

The unraveling of Chef Smith’s claim led to his arrest during a press conference, further compounding the controversy. The Amadia Shopping Centre, which had sponsored his attempt, stated they were unaware of the press conference and had only agreed to support Smith based on his assurances.

The fallout from Chef Smith’s deception culminated in his tearful public apology, captured in a viral video on social media. In the video, Chef Smith, on his knees and flanked by two emotional women, expressed profound remorse for his actions. “I have committed a great sin and I don’t even deserve to live anymore, but please forgive me and my entire family. I have sinned against the entire nation,” he said in Twi.

Chef Smith admitted that, despite applying to attempt breaking the record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, he had not received approval from the Guinness World Records but proceeded nonetheless. “I registered but I wasn’t approved. I just wanted an opportunity to show the world the talent God has given me. I wanted the opportunity to show the world my passion for cooking and get fame. I am sorry,” he confessed amidst tears.

In his apology, Chef Smith mentioned several prominent figures, including President Akufo-Addo, Vice President Bawumia, former President John Mahama and his wife, as well as Nana Boro, seeking forgiveness from them and the entire nation.