Ghana’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awuche, has died at the age of 33 after battling complications from a rare medical condition.
The 7ft 4in giant, who became a celebrity across northern Ghana because of his extraordinary height, died on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital after being admitted with infected sores on his legs, the BBC reported.
His death has thrown his hometown of Gambaga into mourning, with grieving residents and admirers trooping to his family home.
“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,” his relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, told the BBC.
Awuche was diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s and measured 7ft 4in (223cm) when the BBC visited him in 2022. It is believed he may have grown even taller before his death.
Nicknamed “Awuche,” meaning “Let’s Go” in Hausa, he also lived with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that caused his unusually long limbs and left him battling several health complications.
According to the BBC, Awuche struggled to afford medical treatment until businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, stepped in to sponsor his care at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Although doctors reportedly said he had been responding well to treatment, Kudus said the sores on his legs—believed to be a complication of his condition—later claimed his life.
“Everyone is just sad,” Kudus said, adding that the entire community was shocked by the tragic news.
He said Awuche’s fame made Gambaga famous across Ghana.
“Anywhere he found himself in the country and they asked him, he would say he is from Gambaga and people knew that was where the tallest man was from. It gave the community identity, and he was popular as well.”
Awuche’s extraordinary growth began unexpectedly at the age of 22 while working at a butcher’s shop in Accra.
“I realised my tongue had expanded in my mouth to the extent that I could not breath [properly],” he once recalled.
Within days, the rest of his body also began growing rapidly before doctors diagnosed him with Marfan syndrome.
The illness eventually shattered his dream of becoming a driver and forced him to return to his hometown.
“I used to play football like every other young man. I was athletic, but now I cannot even walk short distances,” he had said.
Despite the heartbreaking challenges, Awuche remained cheerful and embraced the fame that came with being Ghana’s tallest man.
His family has decided to bury him in Tamale instead of Gambaga, fearing the small village would be overwhelmed by the huge crowd expected to attend his funeral.
