Ghana’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, widely known as Awuche, has died at the age of 33.
Awuche died on Monday morning at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for infected sores on his legs.
His death has triggered an outpouring of grief, especially in northern Ghana, where his extraordinary height and warm personality made him a popular figure.
A relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, described him as a generous and kind-hearted man who was loved by many people in his community.
“Everyone knew how generous and kind he was. From when he died until now, a lot of people are still coming to the house to find out what exactly happened,” Kudus said.
Awuche, who came from Gambaga in Ghana’s North East Region, was receiving treatment in Tamale, about 160 kilometres from his hometown.
He measured 7 feet 4 inches, about 223 centimetres, when the BBC recorded his height in 2022. His family believed he may have grown even taller before his death.
How Awuche Became Ghana’s Tallest Man
Awuche was not unusually tall as a child. His rapid growth reportedly began when he was 22 and working at a butcher’s shop in Accra.
He once recalled noticing that his tongue had become so enlarged that he struggled to breathe properly. Within days, other parts of his body also began to increase in size.
Doctors later diagnosed him with gigantism and Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues and can cause unusually long limbs.
The condition eventually changed the course of his life. Awuche had hoped to become a driver, but his worsening health forced him to abandon that dream and return to Gambaga about nine years ago.
He also struggled with mobility and could no longer walk long distances.
“I used to play football like every other young man. I was athletic, but now I cannot even walk short distances,” he said in a previous interview.
Despite his health challenges, Awuche remained cheerful and embraced the attention his height brought him.
His family said the sores on his legs were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome but were likely linked to complications from his condition.
Reports indicated that doctors initially believed he was responding well to treatment before his condition suddenly worsened.
Businessman Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, had reportedly stepped in to support Awuche’s medical treatment after he struggled to pay his hospital bills.
Mahama had also met him and recently shared an update about plans for his care.
Kudus said Awuche’s fame gave Gambaga greater recognition across Ghana.
According to him, whenever Awuche travelled and was asked where he came from, he proudly mentioned Gambaga, making the community known as the home of Ghana’s tallest man.
“Everyone is just sad,” Kudus said, adding that residents were shocked by the sudden death.
The family has decided to bury Awuche in Tamale instead of Gambaga because of concerns that the large number of mourners expected at the funeral could overwhelm the village.
