Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has lauded makeup artist Akosua Roselyn Mantey, the nation’s newest Guinness World Record holder. During a meeting at the Ministry, Dzifa Gomashie commended Akosua’s dedication, highlighting how individual achievements in the creative arts positively impact the country.
The Minister emphasized that hard work in creative fields eventually pays off, drawing parallels to her own journey and that of Professor Kobina Mensah, Acting CEO of the Ghana Tourism Development Company. She expressed admiration for Akosua’s record-breaking feat, five days and nights of continuous makeup application to over 120 people and praised her endurance.
“What we bring to the table needs to be recognized, needs to be applauded, and needs to be given space to flourish. Because ultimately, it contributes to the development of our country. His Excellency John Dramani Mahama is the president who recognized that to promote tourism, you have to put it together with culture and creative arts.” She stated.
The Minister strongly advocated for supporting local industries, urging Ghanaians to prioritize locally made products and services to boost the national economy. She encouraged Akosua to become an ambassador for the Ghana Tourism Development Company, emphasizing the importance of celebrating and promoting national heroes.
However, the Guinness World Record Holder shared her motivation and challenges behind the Record Breaking Feat. She revealed that her ambition to showcase her professional makeup artistry skills and promote Ghanaian-made beauty brands were the primary drivers behind her challenging marathon attempt.
“My skill motivated me,” Akosua stated, explaining her decision to undertake the record. She highlighted her desire to showcase what we have, Ghana-made brands that a lot of people don’t know about. During her record attempt, Akosua emphasized that approximately 70% of the products she used were Ghanaian-made, successfully combining local and international brands to elevate Ghana’s beauty industry on a global stage.
Recounting the arduous journey, she described the marathon as “very, very difficult,” underscoring the immense endurance required. adding that rest periods were a mere five minutes after four hours of work. The process was fraught with challenges, including securing accurate timekeepers. Akosua admitted the physical toll was severe, leading to her hospitalization for a week after the event.
Looking ahead, the Makeup Artist aims to leverage her newfound recognition to promote Ghanaian brands internationally, continue her work as a makeup tutor empowering young women with skills, and potentially develop content or tourist experiences featuring Ghanaian-made beauty products. She stressed that her record is an extension of her ongoing work in educating, empowering, and impacting young women.
The Record Holder explained that her motivation extends beyond personal recognition, according to her, she aims to inspire young people about the importance of acquiring skills. With over a thousand students trained in makeup artistry, she believes that individual skills contribute significantly to national development and reduce reliance on government job creation.
Akosua offered a powerful message to aspiring youths: “Whatever you are doing, you might think that nobody is watching, but keep on pushing.” She credits her perseverance and faith for her success, despite not having a large crowd during her attempt.
Source: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
