Ghana mourns its tallest man - a 'generous and popular giant'
Sulemana Abdul Samed, who was diagnosed with gigantism several years ago, has died at the age of 33.
Ghana is mourning the loss of its tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, a "generous and popular giant" who, despite health complications, maintained a positive outlook on life. His death has caused an outpouring of grief, particularly in northern Ghana, where his height made him a local celebrity.
Samed, 33, passed away on Monday in a hospital in Tamale, a northern city located about 160km (100 miles) south of his hometown, Gambaga. He had been admitted due to infected leg sores.
"Everyone knew how generous and kind he was," a relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, told the BBC. "From when he died until now a lot of people are still coming to the house to find out what exactly happened."
Diagnosed with gigantism in his twenties, Samed measured 7ft 4in (223cm) when the BBC took his height in 2023, and it is believed he may have grown even taller before his death.
Known by his nickname Awuche, meaning "Let's Go" in Hausa, Samed had long battled complications from Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that caused his unusually long limbs. He also faced challenges in paying his medical expenses until recently, when Ibrahim Mahama, a successful businessman and brother of Ghana's President John Mahama, stepped in as a benefactor. Ibrahim Mahama, who also met the "giant of Gambaga," offered to cover Samed's medical bills at Tamale Teaching Hospital and provided an update on his planned treatment earlier this month.
Kudus clarified to the BBC that the leg sores were not a direct result of Marfan syndrome but likely a complication stemming from his overall condition. Despite doctors reporting that he was responding well to treatment, Samed died on Monday morning.
"Everyone is just sad," Kudus stated, expressing the shock felt by Gambaga residents at his sudden passing. Awuche had brought fame to their village. "Anywhere he found himself in the country and they asked him, he would say he is from Gambaga and people knew that was where the tallest man was from. It gave the community identity, and he was popular as well," Kudus explained.
Awuche's unusual growth began at the age of 22. He told the BBC that he first noticed changes while working at a butcher shop in Accra, Ghana's capital. "I realised my tongue had expanded in my mouth to the extent that I could not breath [properly]," he recounted. Days later, other parts of his body began to increase in size, leading to his diagnosis with Marfan syndrome, which affects the body's connective tissues and caused his spine to become abnormally curved.
Nine years ago, his height forced him to abandon his dream of becoming a driver and return to Gambaga. He also noted that Marfan syndrome had limited his social life, saying, "I used to play football like every other young man, I was athletic but now I cannot even walk short distances." Despite these challenges, at the time of the BBC's report, he appeared to maintain a positive outlook and enjoyed his celebrity status.
The family decided to bury Awuche in Tamale rather than Gambaga to prevent the village from being overwhelmed by mourners.