Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awuche and recognised as Ghana’s tallest man, has died at the age of 33.
According to the BBC, Awuche died on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he was receiving treatment for infected sores on his legs. He had been admitted to the hospital, located about 160 kilometres from his hometown of Gambaga.
His death has sparked grief across Ghana, particularly in the northern region, where he was admired for his remarkable height and kind personality.
A relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, described him as a generous man whose death has left family, friends and residents in shock.
Awuche was diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s. The BBC measured him at 7 feet 4 inches (223 centimetres) in 2022, although reports suggested he continued growing before his death.
He also lived with complications linked to Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues and contributed to his unusually long limbs. Businessman Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, reportedly supported his medical treatment after learning about his condition.
Although the infected sores on his legs were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome, family members believed they developed as a complication of the illness. Despite reportedly responding well to treatment, Awuche died on Monday morning.
Residents of Gambaga said Awuche brought national recognition to their community, as he proudly identified the town wherever he travelled in Ghana.
The BBC reported that Awuche was not born unusually tall. His rapid physical growth began at the age of 22 while he was working at a butcher’s shop in Accra. He previously recalled that his tongue suddenly enlarged, making it difficult for him to breathe before the rest of his body began growing rapidly. Doctors later diagnosed him with Marfan syndrome.
The condition forced him to abandon his dream of becoming a driver and return to Gambaga, where he spent the final years of his life. Despite his health challenges, he remained optimistic and embraced the public attention his extraordinary height attracted.
His family has decided to bury him in Tamale instead of Gambaga, citing concerns that the village may be unable to accommodate the large number of mourners expected at his funeral.
