I set out to find out if the rumour was true when I heard about the new contender. There's only one problem. The person is measuring him.
A local hospital in northernGhana told 29-year-old Sulemana Abdul Samed that he had reached the height of 9 ft 6in.
This would make him the tallest man in the world, but there was a problem - the rural clinic didn't have the right measuring tools.
A giant who was diagnosed with gigantism a few years ago was asked to stand against a measuring rod at his monthly appointment.
The nurse said that he had grown taller than the scale.
He was amused by the spectacle he was causing.
He was not surprised to hear he was taller, but the staff were not prepared for such a situation.
The duty nurse called out to her colleague, who in turn called out to someone else. A group of people gathered to figure out his height.
One suggestion was to use a pole as an extension above their stick to measure his height.
I didn't have a measuring tape to verify his height when I first saw him a few months ago.
I went back to the village of Gambaga last week in order to resolve the issue.
To determine his height, the plan was for him to lean against a wall, mark it with a crown of his head and then use a measuring tape.
I'm happy with my plan to get an exact measurement, but I can't say everything is flawless.
He was taller than most of the houses in his neighborhood, but we found a suitable building with a high enough wall.
He had been unable to find shoes to fit him so he took off his shoes and had a local handyman make them for him.
One of his neighbours was able to mark the wall with a piece of charcoal by climbing up on a stool.
We stretched the measuring tape from the marked line to the ground after we verified the line.
I said that the measuring tape was 7ft 4in.
He was wearing his smile and asked what it meant.
The tallest man in the world is just one foot shorter than you.
Sultan Ksen is a 40-year-old Turkish man who holds the current Guinness World Record.
I'm still getting taller. "Maybe one day I will get to that height as well, but I'm not upset by the discrepancy with the figure given to me by the hospital," he said.
He says that if you haven't seen him for three months or four, you'd know he's grown.
He grew taller when he was 22 years old and living in the capital.
After finishing secondary school, one ofAwuche's brothers lived in the city where he moved.
He used to work at a butchers and saved money to take driving lessons.
He woke up one morning and realized he couldn't breathe because of his tongue expanding in his mouth.
When he went to the pharmacy to get the medication, he realized the rest of his body was getting bigger.
He realized he was turning into a giant when family and friends from his village commented on his growth spurt.
One of the main symptoms of his condition, Marfan syndrome, is that he has an abnormal curved spine.
The result is long limbs.
There are more serious problems with the heart.
He needs a surgery to stop the growth.
Basic treatment can't be covered by the public healthcare insurance inGhana.
He has to raise money for each hospital visit.
Six years ago, his health problems forced him to return to his home village and give up his dream of becoming a driver.
I don't have the strength to hold the steering wheel when I shift the seat back.
After setting up a small business, he is able to live with his brother.
His height has made it difficult for him to meet new people.
He said that he used to play football like every other young man but now he can't walk long distances.
But he does not give up on his problems. As he walks through the dusty paths of the village, he is smiling as people call out to him.
He is a well-known person in the area.
A group of elderly people sitting by a shed exchange pleasantries, children wave, some women come up for a hug and joke with the man.
Some people want to take selfies with him, while others want to know if he's the giant they've seen on social media.
"I usually will say 'Come closer' - we stand and take nice pictures," he says.
He is grateful to his family for their support, but he doesn't know of any other relatives who have the same condition.
I am the tallest man and none of them are taller than me.
He wants to marry and have children one day, but he wants to focus on his health first.
He wants to raise money for plastic surgery to deal with a serious skin complaint on one leg, ankle and foot caused by the excess growth of the limb.
Looking at his bandaged toes, Awuche doesn't seem to be discouraged by his situation.
I am okay because Allah chose it for me. The way God created me doesn't bother me.
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