By Emmanuel Sikena
ACCRA, GHANA – Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye, a Ghanaian digital content creator widely known on TikTok as @Chefabbys, has been named to the prestigious inaugural TIME100 Creators 2025 list, released on July 9, 2025. This significant recognition highlights her growing influence in the digital space, particularly through her vibrant portrayal of African cuisine.
TIME magazine, in featuring her, noted her burgeoning impact, stating: “As one of the food creators featured on TikTok’s Global Discover List this year, Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye—known on social media as @Chefabbys—is a name to watch in the space.”
With a robust following of over 1.4 million on TikTok, Sintim-Aboagye has captivated audiences with her engaging short videos. Her content expertly showcases her extensive culinary knowledge, focusing on traditional Ghanaian dishes, including the iconic jollof rice, alongside other diverse African recipes like babenda from Burkina Faso and amiwo from Benin.
In an interview with TIME Magazine, Sintim-Aboagye articulated her profound connection to the food she prepares. “When you cook a country’s traditional food, you learn its values, its struggles, and its soul,” she shared. She further emphasized the deeper meaning embedded in each dish, adding, “Every ingredient has meaning. Every method carries memory. It teaches you respect for the people and the heritage behind the dish.”
The TIME100 Creators list was launched in recognition of the evolving landscape of media consumption and the significant role digital creators play in shaping global culture. The influential magazine highlighted that changes in consumer behavior, greatly accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, have seen these entrepreneurs build substantial online followings and, in doing so, become powerful cultural shapers.
According to TIME, the list acknowledges how profoundly these individuals are impacting how people inform themselves. “They are changing what we watch, how we spend our time, what we buy, and how we vote,” the publication stated, underscoring the broad reach and influence of this new generation of thought leaders.
Also featured on this year’s highly anticipated list is Khabane Lame (Khaby Lame), the Senegalese-Italian viral sensation who currently holds the title of TikTok’s most-followed creator, boasting an impressive 162 million followers. Sintim-Aboagye’s inclusion alongside such global figures solidifies her position as a leading voice in digital content creation.