Sulemana Abdul Samed, the tallest man in Ghana, has died at the age of 33 due to complications related to his exceptional height. He passed away on Monday in a hospital in Tamale, a city in northern Ghana, where he had been receiving treatment for infected sores on his legs.

Samed, who stood 7 feet 4 inches tall when last officially measured, had become a prominent figure in his home country and was affectionately known by the nickname “Awuche,” meaning “let’s go” in the Hausa language. His family said he brought recognition to their village of Gambaga, which became widely identified with him. Sulemana Abdul Kudus, a relative, noted that Samed’s generosity and kindness left a lasting impression, with many visitors still coming to their home to learn about his condition following his death.

His medical challenges were connected to Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissue and often results in unusual height and limb proportions. While the syndrome can also lead to heart defects, relatives indicated that the infected leg sores, which contributed to his death, were likely a secondary complication rather than a direct symptom of his condition.

Samed’s height had drawn considerable attention both domestically and internationally. In 2023, speculation arose that he might be the world’s tallest man after a hospital checkup estimated his height at 9 feet 6 inches—a measurement that would have surpassed all official records. However, the hospital lacked equipment adequate for such a measurement, and subsequent assessments by reporters at his home recorded his height as 7 feet 4 inches. Nevertheless, Samed continued to grow, leaving open the possibility that he was taller at the time of his passing.

For context, the current Guinness World Record for the tallest living man is held by Sultan Kösen of Turkey, measured at 8 feet 3 inches. The tallest person in recorded history remains Robert Wadlow from the United States, who reached 8 feet 11 inches before his death at age 22 in 1940.

Samed’s health problems reportedly escalated in his early 20s. He had been employed at a butcher’s shop in Ghana’s capital, Accra, and was saving money for driving lessons when he experienced a severe episode involving tongue swelling and respiratory difficulties.

His prominence in Ghana extended to notable support from prominent figures, including the brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, who agreed to cover his medical expenses amid difficulties securing adequate care.

Samed’s death marks the loss of a distinctive figure in Ghanaian society, whose stature and story brought attention to his village and raised awareness of the challenges faced by individuals with growth-related conditions.