A 33 year old Ghanaian creative, Juliana Gharbin, together with eight professional beadmakers, has set a Guinness World Record for the Largest Bead Sculpture, placing Ghanaian bead artistry on the global stage.
The record breaking piece, a monumental beaded bag, highlights Ghana’s rich tradition of indigenous craftsmanship and showcases how traditional beadmaking can gain international recognition.
Ms Gharbin is the founder and chief executive officer of Jules Beads and Resin Arts, a Ghana based bead and resin fashion and artistry brand. She conceived the attempt as a cultural statement to celebrate Ghanaian heritage, promote African craftsmanship, and demonstrate how beadmaking can support employment, tourism, and global visibility.
The Guinness World Record attempt ran from 1 March to the early hours of 13 March 2025 at Ocean Beach Villas, Prampram, near Accra. The professional beadmakers who worked alongside Ms Gharbin were Setor Akua Modzro, Akosua Adutwumwaa Amoah, Appiah Lordia Konadu, Bridget Esi Quansah, Tijani Addo, Alhassan Fauzia, Babra Ajok, and Kouassi Akoissi Sandrine Laetitia of Côte d’Ivoire. Using 216 packs of beads, twines and patterns in the red, gold and green colours of the Ghanaian flag, the team produced a sculpture measuring 2.69 metres by 2.05 metres by 1.47 metres.
The attempt was the first of its kind in the Guinness World Records artistry category to feature a bead bag as a sculpture. It required nearly two weeks of continuous work, demanding physical endurance, precision and sustained teamwork.
Ms Gharbin applied for the record in September 2023 and received approval in September 2024, although the project faced delays due to funding, logistics and sponsorship challenges. She said the attempt was largely sustained through personal sacrifice and support from family and friends.
Speaking at the official record reveal, Ms Gharbin described the achievement as “a moment of national pride”, adding that it affirms the place of African craftsmanship on the global stage. She said beadmaking carries Ghana’s history, identity and economic potential.
She acknowledged logistical and operational support from several Ghanaian organisations, including Ocean Green Beach, Dalex Finance, Menscook, ExpressMed Healthcare, Fourteen29 Events and Foods, Emerald Chain Hub, and GoldHawk Marketing Limited.
Ms Gharbin has called on the Government of Ghana to increase investment in the creative and craft industries, saying targeted support could help scale local talent and strengthen Ghana’s cultural and tourism profile.
“This record shows that when Ghanaian creative projects are executed with integrity, discipline, and vision, they can achieve global recognition,” she said.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com