Ghana’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awuche, has died at the age of 33.
Awuche reportedly died on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for infected sores on his legs.
The development was confirmed in a report by the BBC on Tuesday, which said his death had triggered an outpouring of grief, particularly in northern Ghana, where he was widely known for his extraordinary height.
Awuche, who hailed from Gambaga in northern Ghana, was measured at 7ft 4in (223cm) by the BBC in 2022. However, reports suggested that he may have grown taller before his death.
His relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, described him as a kind-hearted and generous man who was deeply loved by members of 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 was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues and can result in unusually long limbs and other physical complications.
According to the report, he had faced difficulties paying his medical expenses until businessman Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, intervened to support his treatment.
Kudus said the sores on Awuche’s legs were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome but were believed to be a complication associated with the condition.
Although he was reportedly responding positively to treatment, Awuche died on Monday morning.
“Everyone is just sad,” Kudus said, adding that residents of Gambaga were shocked by his sudden death.
He noted that Awuche’s unusual height had brought national attention to the community and helped put Gambaga on the map.
“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,” he said.
Awuche’s journey to becoming one of Ghana’s most recognisable figures began unexpectedly.
The BBC reported that he had not always been exceptionally tall, with his rapid growth reportedly beginning when he was 22 and working at a butcher’s shop in Accra.
Recalling the onset of his condition, Awuche said, “I realised my tongue had expanded in my mouth to the extent that I could not breathe properly.”
He said the rest of his body began growing rapidly within days, eventually leading to his diagnosis.
His condition later forced him to abandon his ambition of becoming a professional driver and return to Gambaga.
Awuche also spoke about how his health had affected his once-active lifestyle, saying, “I used to play football like every other young man. I was athletic, but now I cannot even walk short distances.”
Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Awuche reportedly remained optimistic and embraced the public attention that came with his extraordinary height.
His family has reportedly decided to bury him in Tamale rather than Gambaga, citing concerns that the number of mourners expected at his funeral could overwhelm his hometown.
