Ghana's Tallest Man Dies at 33 Amidst Healthcare Costs

Sulemana Abdul Samed, who was recognized as the tallest man in Ghana, has passed away at the age of 33. His death has prompted widespread sorrow, particularly in the northern part of the country where his height made him a local celebrity, according to BBC News. The 33-year-old died in a hospital in Tamale on Monday. He had been taken to the hospital from his hometown of Gambaga, located about 160 kilometers (100 miles) south, due to an infected wound on his leg. "Everyone knew how kind and generous he was. Since his death, many people have continued to come to the house to find out what really happened," a relative named Sulemana Abdul Kudus told the BBC. He was diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s and measured 7 feet 4 inches (223 centimeters) tall when measured by the BBC in late 2022. Known by the nickname 'Awuche,' which means 'let's go' in the Hausa language, he had long struggled with the complications of Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that caused his limbs to grow excessively long. He also faced difficulties in paying for his medical treatment but recently found a benefactor in the brother of Ghana's President, John Mahama, who provided assistance.