‘It is official’: Ghanaian man sets Guinness World Record for most trees hugged in one hour

An Auburn University forestry student from Ghana, Abubakar Tahiru, has made history by securing the record for the most trees hugged in a single hour. Tahiru set the record after hugging 1,123 trees in Auburn, USA, within an hour in March this year.

The world record holder’s actions were driven by his passion for the environment as he sought a chance to shine a light on the importance of global sustainability initiatives.

“I have always been finding a way not just about the research that I am doing but also having an innovative way to speak out or tell people about sustainability and its obvious that climate change is very critical,” he said to Ghana’s 3News.

“Climate change is not agenda of one person but global effort and I decided to do this to call global attention on sustainability and for us to collective come out to mitigate climate change,” he said.

A publication by Guinness World Records on their website reiterated, “He hopes his attempt will spotlight the need for sustainability and inspire a call to global community action.”

Tahiru celebrated his remarkable achievement on social media, with the caption “It is official !!! Guinness World Records Holder for Most Trees Hugged in One Hour.”

Congratulatory remarks from well-wishers flooded his comments section. One commenter stated, “Finally a Ghanaian has been confirmed,” in light of recent unsuccessful attempts by Ghanaians to break world records.

Tahiru holds an undergraduate degree in Natural Resources (Forestry) from the University for Development Studies in Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana.

Faith Patricia Ariokot, a Ugandan, also set the Guinness World Record for the longest time to hug a tree, which was set in Kampala, Uganda, in January.

The 29-year-old, an environmental activist who loves to plant trees, set out to break the record in order to raise awareness for the cause. She hopes to inspire others to love planting trees as much as she does.