- Samed, has died at the age of 33 in Tamale
- Awuche became famous for his 7ft 4in height and battle with Marfan syndrome complications
- His death has sparked grief among residents of Gambaga and across northern Ghana
Ghana is mourning the death of Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awuche, who was regarded as the country’s tallest man.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the 33-year-old died on Monday at a hospital in Tamale, where he had been receiving treatment for infected leg sores linked to complications from his rare condition.
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Awuche, who stood at 7ft 4in (223cm) when measured by the BBC in 2022, became a well-known figure in northern Ghana, especially in his hometown of Gambaga. His unusual height made him a local celebrity and gave the community a unique identity, according to his relatives.
A family member, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, said many people had visited their home to express their condolences and seek information about his sudden death.
Awuche was diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s and later identified as having Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissues and causing unusually long limbs. The condition affected his mobility and forced him to abandon his dream of becoming a driver.
He previously revealed that his rapid growth began when he was 22 while working at a butcher shop in Accra. He said he noticed changes in his body, including an enlarged tongue that made breathing difficult, before doctors diagnosed his condition.
Despite the challenges, Awuche remained optimistic and embraced his popularity. He received medical support in recent times from Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, who helped cover his treatment expenses at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
His family said the sores on his legs were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome but were likely complications related to his condition. They added that doctors had reported improvements before his health suddenly worsened.
Residents of Gambaga described his death as a major loss, saying Awuche had brought recognition to the community. His relative said he proudly identified himself as being from Gambaga wherever he went, making the village known as the home of Ghana’s tallest man.
The family has chosen to bury him in Tamale rather than Gambaga because the hometown would likely be overwhelmed by the number of mourners expected to attend the funeral.
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