GHANAIAN MAN WITH MARFAN SYNDROME DIES AGED 33

Sulemana Abdul Samed, a man from Ghana who measured 7 feet 4 inches tall, died on Monday aged 33 after complications linked to his rare genetic condition. He was admitted to hospital in Tamale, in northern Ghana, after sores on his legs became infected. A relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, said that many people visited the family home following his death to learn what had happened.

Samed's condition began in his early 20s whilst he was working in a butcher's shop in Accra and saving to attend driving school. He woke one morning to find his tongue had swollen, affecting his ability to breathe properly. His body then continued to grow at an extraordinary rate, causing his spine to curve. The growth forced him to abandon his ambitions to become a driver and his participation in football. Doctors diagnosed him with Marfan syndrome, a genetic condition affecting connective tissue. According to NHS information cited in reports, the condition affects approximately one in 5,000 people in the UK and can cause unusual height, long limbs and fingers, and serious heart problems.

In a 2023 interview, Samed described the physical limitations his height imposed. He explained that he could not operate a vehicle because he could not reach the steering wheel even with the seat pushed back, and could not walk short distances without difficulty. Samed became known locally by the nickname Awuche and was regarded as a local celebrity in his hometown of Gambaga. A relative described him as generous and kind.