Meet The Most Tallest Man In Africa
Sulemana Abdul Samed Awuche, a giant from Ghana, is said to be the tallest man in the world. Let's check if this is absolutely true
When I heard that northern Ghana had a new contender for the title, I set out to see if it was true. The only issue? weighing him.
Short presentational grey line During one of Sulemana Abdul Samed's most recent checkups, a local hospital in northern Ghana informed the 29-year-old that he had reached a height of 9 feet 6 inches (2.89 meters).
This would make him the tallest man in the world, but there was a catch: the rural clinic didn't have the right measuring tools, so it couldn't be sure of his height.
Meet the Most Tallest Man In Africa 2023
The young man, who had been diagnosed with gigantism a few years ago, was at a monthly appointment to deal with the problems of living as a giant when he was asked to stand straight up against a measuring rod.
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He was informed by a shocked nurse: Your height has increased beyond the scale.
He was bewildered by the spectacle he was causing, better known to everyone as Awuche, which means Let's Go in Hausa.
Given that he has never stopped growing, he was not surprised to learn that he was taller; however, the staff was perplexed because they were not prepared for such a scenario.
The duty nurse called for assistance from a colleague, who in turn called for assistance from another. To figure out how to figure out his height, a group of nurses and health assistants gathered quickly.
In order to estimate his height, one person suggested that they locate a pole and extend it above their stick. This is how they arrived at their estimate.
He is still growing
Still growing When I first met Awuche a few months ago while traveling in northern Ghana, where his fame had spread across the grasslands, I didn't have a tape measure with me to check his height.
So, last week, I went back to the Gambaga village with a 16-foot measuring tape in order to settle the issue.
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Measuring Sulemana Abdul Samed Image caption: When measuring Awuche, a neighbor stood on a stool to mark the wall. The idea was to have him lean against a wall, mark it with the crown of his head, and then use the measuring tape to figure out how tall he was.
Awuche admitted, satisfied with my plan to obtain an accurate measurement, The way they measure me, I cannot say everything is perfect.
He turned out to be taller than the majority of the houses in his neighborhood, but after doing a thorough search, we located a suitable building with a wall that was high enough to accommodate him.
He took off his large slip-ons, which were custom-made for him from car tyres and nailed together by a local handyman because he couldn't find shoes that fit him.
To reach Awuche's height so he could draw charcoal on the wall, one of his neighbors climbed on a wooden stool.
We firmly stretched the measuring tape from the marked line to the ground after verifying the line, and Awuche watched in anticipation.
He measures an average height of 7ft 4in
Awuche with his older brother Image caption: Awuche, the measuring tape reads 7ft 4in, I said. Awuche now lives with his older brother (L) in Gambaga.
He responded with his signature smile, Wow, so what's the point?
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Well, the tallest man alive is 8 feet, 2.8 inches tall; he's only one foot taller than you are, the person replied.
I was referring to Sultan Kösen, a 40-year-old Turkish resident who holds the current Guinness World Record.
I still get taller. Who knows, maybe one day I'll get to that height too, Awuche said, not at all bothered by the difference between his own height and the one the hospital had given him.
He elaborates, I grow every three months or four months... If you've not seen me for three months or four months and you see me, you would have realized I have increased.
He Started By Getting Expanding tongue
Expanding tongue: When he was 22 years old and living in Accra, the capital, this height increase began to become noticeable.
After completing his secondary education, Awuche had relocated there to try his luck in the city, where one of his brothers lived.
Awuche's spin is shown curving in a side view. According to the caption, Marfan syndrome can cause the spine to curve abnormally. He worked at a butcher shop to save money for driving lessons.
However, one morning he awoke confused: He relates, I realized that my tongue had expanded in my mouth to the extent that I was unable to breathe properly.
He went to a nearby pharmacy to get some medicine, but a few days later, he noticed that every other part of his body was starting to get bigger.
He realized that he was gradually becoming a giant when his family and friends from his village came to visit the city and commented on his growth spurt.
He sought medical assistance as the growth brought about additional complications as he began to tower over everyone.
One of the most noticeable signs of his genetic disorder, Marfan syndrome, which affects the body's connective tissues, is an abnormally curved spine.
It causes limbs that are abnormally long.
Heart defects are among the more severe complications.
He needs surgery to stop the growth, according to the doctors.
He wanted to become a driver
Awuche wanted to become a driver, but he is too tall to sit behind the wheel. However, Ghana's public healthcare insurance does not cover this, only covering basic treatment.
He still needs to raise approximately £40 ($50) for each hospitalization.
Six years ago, he was eventually forced to return to his home village and give up his plans to become a driver because of his health issues.
I was going to drive school, but I can't hold the steering wheel even when I move the seat back; I can't stretch my leg because my knee will knock the wheel off.
He now lives with his brother and survives by running a small business that sells credits for mobile phones.
Additionally, his height has restricted his social life.
He offered the following explanation: I used to play football like every other young man, I was athletic, but now I cannot even walk short distances.
He is a Celebrity in the community
but Awuche doesn't let his problems get to him. He smiles as people call out to him as his tall, thin frame weaves through the village's dusty streets.
Image caption: Awuche is almost two feet taller than BBC reporter Favour Nunoo (R), making him a little bit of a local celebrity.
Children wave, some women give him a hug and tell jokes, and a group of elderly people sitting by a shed talk to him.
Even strangers approach to inquire if he is the giant they have seen on social media and want to take selfies with him.
In most cases, I'll say: Awuche responds, Yes, come closer; we stand and take nice pictures.
He expresses his sincere gratitude to his family for their emotional support, noting that none of his relatives, including his three brothers, exhibit any symptoms of his condition.
I am the tallest man; none of them are tall.
He wants to marry and have children one day, but first he wants to take care of his health.
I don't have a problem with the way God made me 1px transparent line His first priority is to raise money for plastic surgery to treat a serious skin problem on one leg, ankle, and foot that was caused by the limb's excessive growth.
Awuche, however, looks at his bandaged toes and refuses to be discouraged by his situation.
I'm fine because that's how Allah chose it for me. The way I was made by God doesn't bother me.
