ACCRA, Ghana— Ghana is mourning the death of Sulemana Abdul Samed, widely recognised as the country’s tallest man, whose towering stature and warm personality made him a beloved figure in northern Ghana.
Abdul Samed, 33, died on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital after developing complications from infected sores on his legs. He had been admitted for treatment in Tamale, about 160 kilometres from his home village of Gambaga.
His death has prompted an outpouring of grief, particularly in the North East Region, where he had become a local celebrity.
“Everyone knew how generous and kind he was. From when he died until now a lot of people are still coming to the house to find out what exactly happened,” his relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, told the BBC.
A Life Marked by Medical Challenges
Known by the nickname Awuche, meaning “Let’s Go” in the Hausa language, Abdul Samed was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome in his twenties, a genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissues that led to abnormal growth of his limbs.
When measured by the BBC in 2022, he stood at 7 feet 4 inches (223 centimetres), although relatives believe he had grown even taller before his death.
Kudus said the infected leg sores that led to his hospitalisation were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome but were likely complications associated with the condition.
Despite doctors initially reporting that he was responding well to treatment, Abdul Samed died on Monday morning.
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Residents of Gambaga remembered Abdul Samed as a humble and approachable man whose fame brought national attention to their community.
“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,” Kudus said.
His extraordinary height made him instantly recognisable across Ghana, but relatives say he remained grounded and generous throughout his life.
Dreams Cut Short
Abdul Samed was not born unusually tall. According to his previous interviews, his rapid growth began at the age of 22 while working at a butcher’s shop in the capital, Accra.
He recalled first noticing that his tongue had enlarged, making it difficult to breathe, before the rest of his body began growing rapidly.
His condition eventually forced him to abandon his ambition of becoming a professional driver and return to his hometown.
Marfan syndrome also affected his mobility, ending his love of football and making even short walks increasingly difficult.
Despite these challenges, he maintained an optimistic outlook and embraced the public attention his unique stature attracted.
Support Before His Death
In recent months, Abdul Samed had received financial assistance from businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, who pledged to cover his medical expenses at Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Earlier this month, Mahama had provided an update on Abdul Samed’s treatment as efforts continued to improve his health.
His family has decided he will be buried in Tamale rather than Gambaga, saying the village would have struggled to accommodate the large number of mourners expected to attend his funeral.
