The 7-foot giant of Ngleshie Amanfro: Seven-foot Ghanaian Ephraim Saawa dreams of joining the national basketball team

In Ngleshie Amanfro, a bustling community in Ga South Municipality, Ephraim Saawa, towering at 7.0 feet tall, is impossible to ignore. Locals refer to him as the seven-foot giant, and his presence draws attention wherever he goes. Trotro mates call him to the front seat, children stop and stare, adults take pictures, and strangers on the street inquire about his height. For some, this constant attention might be burdensome, but for Ephraim, it could be his ticket to a promising future in basketball.

With dreams of joining Ghana's national basketball team, Ephraim wants to compete in international tournaments and bring home a trophy for his country. Although not yet a household name in Ghanaian sports, his community reveres him as a local celebrity and a source of pride. Coming from Nandom Piina in the Upper West Region, Ephraim's journey to becoming a basketball sensation is now unfolding in Greater Accra.

Although he once played volleyball at Abakrampa Senior High School in the Central Region, Ephraim's heart soon shifted to basketball. The school lacked a basketball court, so he trained with his imagination and other students from other schools. Now, for the past two months, he has been training with the Magic Basketball Academy, where he learns the skills needed to succeed on the basketball court.

Ephraim's basketball idol is French superstar Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4-inch NBA sensation who excels in shooting, rebounding, and supporting teammates. He admires Wembanyama's defensive skills, shooting, and rebounding abilities, and wants to follow in his footsteps. While he is tall, Ephraim remains humble, acknowledging that there may be taller individuals in Accra.

Despite his fame, Ephraim faces daily challenges, particularly with public transportation, as the Ghanaian trotros were not designed to accommodate his height. He often sits in the front seat to avoid leg pain during the journey, politely asking drivers to make arrangements for him. He hopes for more understanding and empathy from drivers and passengers to ensure a more comfortable experience for tall individuals like him.

Beyond basketball, Ephraim aims to pursue a degree in Computer Science to become a software engineer. His motivation is not just personal growth, but also a desire to address the digital divide in Ghana and help young people, especially those from his community, access technology and opportunities.