Police officer completes 120-hour painting marathon with 105 paintings hoping to break GWR

Lance Corporal Pabby Saraphina, a police officer stationed at the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters, is on the verge of breaking the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest painting marathon.

She embarked on a successful 120-hour painting marathon which started on September 20 and ended at 3:00 pm on September 25, 2024, surpassing the current record period of four days.

She made a total of 105 nature and culture-inspired paintings.

Having applied for the record last year, she has been preparing for this moment, confident that her endurance and dedication will earn her the coveted title.

In an interview with Starr News Eastern Regional Correspondent Kojo Ansah, Pabby Saraphina said she embarked on the journey to promote female artists in Ghana for global recognition.

“I have been drawing for quite a long time for so many years and really wanted to bring out my art and show it to the world and promote female artists in Ghana and the world. I did 120 hours. I was actually planning on 110. I did a total of 105 paintings. I followed all the requirements so I think I will get it.”

She added, “I am hoping for opportunities for my artwork as a police officer. Some people told me the artwork is a man’s job so they questioned my ability but I didn’t give back.”

She also revealed her ambition of establishing an art gallery to showcase her talent and passion for painting.

Pabby is no stranger to the art world; she is even more excellent in pencil drawing.

Pabby Saraphina says she is already waiting for the result of an 8-hour private drawing marathon she did months ago.

Her latest marathon effort garnered widespread support, with the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Twumasi Ankrah, and other senior officers visiting her to offer encouragement.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, DCOP Twumasi Ankrah, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police and the Police Administration, commended Pabby Saraphina for her endurance and perseverance.

“On behalf of the Inspector General of Police and the Police Administration, I say well done. To sit down for 120 hours is not a joke. What she has done is something that is picturing the true Ghanaian, the true African. Painting our environment, our culture, you see all these. She is selling Ghana, Africa to the entire world.”

Ohene Sarfo, an Artist and Visual Arts Tutor at Koforidua-GHANASS, provided some insights about the paintings by Pabby Saraphina, stating that she expressed herself through nature, which is inspiring.

He said artists in Ghana deserve support to enable them to showcase their skills to promote Ghanaian culture to the world, which will have a positive impact on tourism.

Some of the paintings were sold out. Dr. Martin Otu Offei, the NDC parliamentary candidate for New Juaben South, bought five pieces.

He was impressed, adding that the art of painting falls into his broader vision of promoting tourism, arts, and culture in New Juaben.

“Interestingly, one of my key priorities is tourism, arts, and culture. Koforidua, when you look at our surroundings and everything we have, we have to promote our culture. I want to be able to develop tourism to international standards. Within the four years that Koforidua people will give me the mandate, we will bring so many foreign people here and attract investment so people can leave money here. Tourism has great potential,” said Dr. Martin Otu Offei.

The family of Pabby Saraphina was present to support her. Joseph Baah, her father, said the skill of arts runs through the family. He urged parents to encourage their children with such creative skills to tap into the opportunities therein.