Ghana is grieving the loss of Sulemana Abdul Samed, frequently cited as the nation’s tallest resident, who died this past Monday at 33. He had been suffering from complications tied to Marfan syndrome. Samed, affectionately referred to as Awuche, died at Tamale Teaching Hospital in northern Ghana while undergoing treatment for severe leg sores that had recently worsened.
A relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, noted that the 33-year-old had shown early signs of improvement before his health declined rapidly. He remembered Samed as a notably generous and kind individual, drawing many visitors to the family home in the wake of the news.
Samed stood at 7 feet 4 inches when measured by the BBC in 2022, though his family suspects he continued to grow afterward. Diagnosed with gigantism in his twenties, he suffered from Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder impacting connective tissues. This diagnosis required him to give up his dream of driving and move back to his hometown of Gambaga from Accra. He first noticed symptoms at 22, including a swelling tongue that obstructed his breathing, followed by rapid body growth.
Despite his health struggles, Samed was a beloved public figure. His nickname, which translates to ‘Let’s Go’ in Hausa, helped bring prominence to his hometown. He received recent medical assistance from businessman Ibrahim Mahama, who offered to fund his hospital expenses. Due to the significant interest from the public, his family will lay him to rest in Tamale instead of Gambaga to better manage the expected crowds.
