Today we celebrate the life and memory of a daughter of Ghana who turned leaves into legacy. A passionate artist and one of our own.
Sharon Dede Padi, known in the art world as Padiki and proud member of the Ghana Association of Visual Artists, has etched Ghana’s name into history as the first-ever Guinness World Records holder for the Largest Leaf-Print Painting.
Her record-breaking artwork spans 54.33 m² / 584.8 ft², a monumental reimagining of the Ghana flag crafted entirely from natural leaf prints. Completed in 33 hours at the National Theatre in Accra, every print tells a story. From neem, plantain, cocoyam, cassava, cocoa, coffee, shea, orange and lemon leaves sourced across the country, she wove together our food, medicine, rites and festivals into one unifying symbol: the red, gold, green and black star. This record is more than size.
Sharon calls it “a megaphone that amplifies the silent calls of our plants”. A bold statement against deforestation, galamsey, and the loss of our vegetation. It is a platform to project Ghanaian art and culture to the world, and an invitation to young artists across Africa to pursue creativity with courage.
Her path here was not easy. In March 2024 she first attempted a 168-hour painting marathon. Though that record didn’t land, she didn’t stop. She researched, gathered a team, sourced leaves from the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana, and returned stronger. On December 9 she received official confirmation from Guinness World Records.
As CEO of Padiki Art Gallery, Sharon has long championed African art, cultural heritage, and women’s empowerment. She is an architect, an artist, and now a record-holder who chose to speak for the land through art.
She has since presented her certificate to the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, and plans to collaborate to install the piece as a national monument under the Black Star Experience, so the world can witness Ghana’s creativity first hand.
Sharon Dede Padi, we honour you!!!
For your persistence. For your vision. For proving that Ghanaian art can be both rooted in tradition and bold enough to break world records.
You didn’t just paint a flag. You printed our identity, our resilience, and our future one leaf at a time.
Rest in peace!
May your legacy live on global stages for Ghanaian visual art.
Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong
President – Ghana Association of Visual Artists (GAVA)