A Ghanaian creative team led by Juliana Gharbin has etched their name in history by achieving the Guinness World Records title for the largest bead sculpture.

The team created a stunning beaded bag measuring 2.69 m x 2.05 m x 1.47 m (8 ft 10 in x 6 ft 9 in x 4 ft 10 in).

The record-breaking piece, crafted entirely by hand over 10 intense days in Prampram, Ghana, was completed on March 13, 2025, at Ocean Green Beach.

The sculpture proudly features Ghana’s national colors—red, gold, green, and black—and incorporates two meaningful Adinkra symbols representing versatility and loyalty, celebrating Ghanaian heritage and cultural pride.

Juliana Gharbin, founder and creative director of Jules Beads, spearheaded the project alongside a dedicated team of skilled crafters: Babra Ajok, Alhassan Fauzia, Tijani Addo, Bridget Esi Quansah, Appiah Lordia Konadu, Akosua Adutwumwaa Amoah, Setor Akua Modzro, and Kouassi Akoissi Sandrine Laetitia. The group worked collaboratively, investing long hours, patience, and teamwork to bring the vision to life.

Evidence submission was finalized by August 30, 2025, leading to official recognition from Guinness World Records on December 8, 2025. The team received their official certificate on January 15, 2026, confirming their place in global record history.

At a press conference on Saturday, January 24, 2026, to unveil the masterpiece, Ms. Gharbin shared her journey and future vision. She revealed that the attempt was largely self-funded, supported by personal resources, family, and a few close associates, with limited brand backing.

“This experience reinforced my belief that Ghanaian craft has global value but requires structure, focus, and sustained support to thrive,” she said.

Looking ahead, Ms. Gharbin announced plans to take bead art into classrooms, teaching schoolchildren the craft as a viable skill and livelihood. “Young people need early exposure, discipline, and motivation to succeed in creative fields,” she explained. The sculpture is positioned not just as a record but as an educational tool and inspiration for youth, proving that local craftsmanship can compete internationally when nurtured.

This achievement highlights Ghana’s vibrant creative sector and positions beadmaking as a powerful form of cultural expression and economic opportunity.

Ghanaian fashion entrepreneur Kwaku Bediako has shared the behind-the-scenes story of how his vision to build a globally competitive African lifestyle brand evolved into a breakthrough partnership with American television icon Steve Harvey, helping propel African fashion onto the world stage.

In a recent interview featured on Earn Your Leisure Clips, Bediako recounted how his brand, Chocolate, grew from designing large-scale traditional African wedding attire into a globally recognised fashion label worn by some of the world’s most influential figures.

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A post shared by Chocolate by Kwaku Bediako (@chocolateclothesglobal)

From Community Weddings to Global Vision

Bediako explained that his early success was rooted in a deep understanding of African communal culture. Unlike Western weddings that typically feature a handful of groomsmen and bridesmaids, his designs embraced traditional African ceremonies where entire communities play a visible role.

He recalled creating outfits for wedding parties with as many as 175 groomsmen, some spread across Ghana and Europe, particularly Spain. According to Bediako, the idea was symbolic—showing that marriage in African culture is backed by community, responsibility and collective protection.

While the model worked locally, Bediako said he soon realised that achieving his broader goal of building “the biggest African lifestyle brand in the world” required connecting Africa to its global diaspora and forging partnerships across fashion, sports and entertainment.

The Steve Harvey Moment

That opportunity came when Steve Harvey visited Ghana. With the help of mutual contacts, Bediako took a bold risk: designing a suit for Harvey without ever taking his measurements in person. Instead, he studied Harvey’s public appearances and social media posts, eventually identifying a rare casual photo that gave him confidence to proceed.

Despite Harvey’s initial reluctance to wear ready-to-wear clothing, the suit reportedly fit perfectly. The moment proved pivotal. Harvey immediately ordered several more suits for himself and his family and publicly endorsed the brand.

Bediako recalled Harvey’s words: “Yesterday’s prize is not today’s prize,” a phrase that later became symbolic of their partnership. Harvey went on to feature Bediako’s designs on Family Feud Africa, Miss World, and other major platforms, significantly boosting the brand’s international profile.

Expanding Africa’s Fashion Influence

Following the Harvey endorsement, Bediako said his brand gained validation from global cultural leaders and institutions. This led to collaborations with figures such as Idris Elba, the NBA and NBA Africa, as well as involvement in major cultural initiatives linked to Africa’s diaspora engagement.

He credited preparation, community values and strategic networking for his success, noting that African fashion has the potential to compete globally when culture, craftsmanship and opportunity align.

Bediako’s journey highlights how African creativity—when paired with strategic global partnerships—can reshape perceptions and create powerful economic and cultural opportunities.

In a historic celebration of Ghanaian creativity, the homegrown streetwear collective Free The Youth (FTY) recently presented a pair of its ultra-limited FTY AJ1 “Friends & Family” sneakers to President John Dramani Mahama.

The presentation is a symbolic moment that highlights the rise of Ghana’s youth-driven fashion and cultural influence.

The special edition FTY AJ1 sneakers, created in collaboration with Nike’s Jordan Brand, are among the most coveted releases this year. With only 175 pairs produced worldwide, the shoes fuse eye-catching colours and Ghanaian cultural symbolism with high-end sneaker culture, making them a bold expression of identity and pride.

Founded by Jonathan Coffie, Kelly Foli, Winfred Mensah, and Richard Kweku Ormano, Free The Youth has grown from a local creative collective into a global cultural force — blending fashion, art, music and youth empowerment in a uniquely Ghanaian voice.

The group also operates as a creative agency and NGO, championing opportunities and platforms for young Africans across the continent and the diaspora.

In a now-viral social-media post, the collective shared images of President Mahama receiving the vibrant sneakers with the caption celebrating belief in the “next generation.”

The gesture was more than a fashion handoff — it was a powerful affirmation of youth creativity and national pride, signaling a growing recognition of Ghana’s cultural exports on a global scale.

President Mahama, whose administration has championed youth development programs aimed at expanding entrepreneurial and creative opportunities, welcomed the gift as a sign of how far Ghana’s creative industries have come. His support underscores the increasing role fashion and youth culture play in shaping soft power and national identity.

For Free The Youth, this moment marks another milestone in their mission to redefine what it means to be a young African creative — proving that Ghanaian design, innovation and cultural expression aren’t just trends, but enduring exports with global appeal.