Ghana mourns its tallest man - a 'generous and popular giant'
Sulemana Abdul Samed, known as Ghana's tallest man, has passed away at age 33 due to complications from Marfan syndrome. His death has caused widespread mourning in his home region, where he was a well-known and beloved figure.
Why it matters
The story reflects the challenges of living with rare genetic conditions in developing nations and the importance of community support systems.
Image caption, Despite the complications caused by his condition, Sulemana Abdul Samed seemed to have a positive outlook on life
The death of Sulemana Abdul Samed, Ghana's tallest man, has prompted an outpouring of grief especially in the north of the country where his height had made him a local celebrity.
The 33 year old died in hospital on Monday in the northern city of Tamale, about 160km (100 miles) south of his home village of Gambaga, where he had been admitted because sores on his legs had become infected.
"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,'' a relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, has told the BBC.
Diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s, he was 7ft 4in (223cm) tall when measured by the BBC in 2023.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in