Climate Enthusiast Awal Hakim is in an Unending Embrace with Nature

This remarkable “tree-hug-a-thon,” held outside the Kumasi Cultural Centre, not only showcases his endurance but also serves as a strong testament to his commitment to environmental conservation and his proud profession of being the “tree guy” who loves trees even more than monkeys.

Awal’s record-breaking achievement stems from a deep-seated love for nature and a mission to raise awareness about nature conservation in Ghana. In this exclusive chat with The Moveee, he shares his inspiring journey, the motivations behind his record, and his plans for future initiatives.

Congratulations on your Guinness World Record! What inspired you to attempt the longest tree-hugging record

Attempting the Guinness World Record was more than just clinching the record to me, it was a way of spotlighting my love and passion for the preservation of trees.

I embarked on Guinness World Record to set a pace for how humanity can raise awareness of the invaluable contribution of trees to our society. By preserving trees, we’re preserving humanity as a whole.

How did you prepare physically and mentally for this challenge?

It took 6 months to prepare for the attempt. During these months, I set up applications, submissions, and thorough practice. For 3 months, I consistently practised hugging trees, training for as long as 48 hours at a stretch with only a few breaks for prayers in between.

I got my team together after the approval of the application. The team was quite intimate, just me, my manager and 2 cameramen. They were all my classmates from Tertiary.

I mentally prepared myself for the inevitable backlash from my fellow countrymen. Anticipating that many would try to discredit my efforts without grasping the underlying reasoning, I steeled myself for the criticism that was sure to follow.

What was going through your mind during the 24 hours and 21 minutes of hugging the tree?

The thought of what was at stake was daunting. Trees are vital resources that humanity relies on, and preservation is a lesson ingrained in us from a young age. Yet, collective action falls short. I saw this attempt as a crucial opportunity to emphasize the importance of preservation.

Even as the rain soaked me to the bone, my resolve remained unwavering. The thought of making a difference fueled my determination.

Did you face any difficulties or discomfort during the record attempt?

Yes, challenges emerged even before the attempt. With minimal support, I relied on my dedicated 4-man team. On the day of the event, we discovered we lacked proper venue permission, forcing us to find an alternative location at the last minute.

As the rain poured down, I pushed forward, driven by keen determination to meet our target. Overcoming these obstacles required unwavering commitment and focus.

What significance does this record hold for you, and how does it relate to your passion for journalism?

This record is quite significant for me as it is a testament to my passion. I have been a climate reporter for almost 4 years and with the record award, I can say my passion for both journalism and activism has actually paid off.

GWR is recognized worldwide and being named in the Guinness World Record is a great feat. Even Christiano Ronaldo poses with his award so for Awal from Asawase, being etched on the record is a dream come true. The record is very important to me and it will go a long way in my future endeavours as a journalist, boosting my reviews among other things. 

How does your cultural background and upbringing in Kumasi influence your perspective on nature and the environment?

I witnessed the consequences of desertification in my family’s hometown of Garu,  and I had a first-hand experience of the extent to which desertification has damaged our nation. This helped shape my desire to establish a nationwide tree-planting initiative which will help curb desertification all across Ghana. 

During my days as an intern in FM, my reportage made me know that with afforestation and reforestation, Ghana stands a chance to contribute optimally to global climate and also introduce the country to some new species of trees which can also serve as the next source of cash inflow.

What message do you hope to convey through your record-breaking tree hug?

I have been the carrier of just one message – LET’S PRESERVE TREES AND PLANT MORE TREES!!!

Trees make an invaluable contribution to humans. They say when the last tree dies, the last man also dies. So I want to ensure that we solve the problem of climate change and environmental issues by planting more trees and upholding the Green Ghana Agenda and ultimately the  Green Africa Agenda. 

How do you plan to use your platform as a journalist and record holder to raise awareness about environmental issues?

One of the practical ways I intend to use my platform is to educate people. Right education in these matters is key to the change we all desire. 

As a journalist and a GWR holder, I will use all my platforms to advocate tree planting and fight against the illegal cutting down of trees in Ghana. I’ve always talked about climate issues every opportunity I get and that is not stopping any time soon.

What’s next for you? Will you attempt another record or focus on other projects?

I hold the title now and I’m glad I have changed the dynamics of the record. Before my attempt, there were no breaks in between the attempts. That is I had to remain standing and keep my arms wrapped around the tree throughout the entire duration. 

But now that the record stands at 24 hours – the point at which record attempts are considered ‘marathons’ – the title has been modified to longest marathon hugging a tree. This means that future challengers will be permitted breaks (a total of two hours per day) to combat the harmful effects of sleep deprivation.

So I will say that I am a pacesetter because as a result of my attempt, the name of the title has been redefined. I will allow this legacy to be in my name and not break any more records again. 

The work that comes with the record won’t even allow me to break another record as I am in the process of making Ghana worth living by planting more trees.

How has this experience impacted your life, and what lessons have you learned from it?

I have never dreamt of being known worldwide so this once again is a dream come true and I feel so blessed. I am more recognized now and I feel so blessed.

This will also not be complete without appreciating Hilda Baci for paving the way for the whole of Africa. She is indeed the OG and I look forward to meeting her someday.

One major lesson I have learnt from this is to never let what others say about what you want to do matter but rather to listen to your heart.