Ghana Mourns Death of Tallest Man Sulemana Awuche at 33

(Sulemana. Photo Credit: Trinune Online)

At the age of 33, Sulemana Abdul Samed, also known as Awuche and regarded as Ghana’s tallest man, passed away.

His passing has caused widespread mourning throughout Ghana, especially in the country’s north, where he was adored due to his remarkable height and kind disposition.

According to a report by an international broadcaster, Awuche died on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital after being admitted for treatment of infected sores on his legs.

He had been receiving care at the facility in Tamale, about 160 kilometres from his hometown of Gambaga.

A relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, described the late Awuche as a generous and kind-hearted man whose death had left many in shock, noting that people were still trooping to the house to find out exactly what happened.

Awuche, who was diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s, stood at 7ft 4in (223cm) when measured by the broadcaster in late 2022, though it was believed he had continued growing before his death.

Popularly known as Awuche, a Hausa word meaning “Let’s Go,” he lived with complications linked to Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissues, which accounted for his unusually long limbs.

The report noted that he had struggled to afford medical treatment until businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, intervened to support his care at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Mahama, who had earlier met with Awuche, had provided an update on plans for his continued treatment earlier in the month.

Kudus explained that although the infected sores on Awuche’s legs were not directly linked to Marfan syndrome, they were likely a complication of the condition.

He noted that despite reportedly responding well to treatment, Awuche died on Monday morning, leaving residents of Gambaga devastated by the news.

He added that Awuche’s fame had brought national recognition to the community, noting that wherever he went in the country, mentioning that he hailed from Gambaga was enough for people to identify it as home to the tallest man, giving the community both identity and popularity.

The broadcaster recalled that Awuche was not born exceptionally tall, as his rapid physical growth only began at age 22 while he was working at a butcher’s shop in Accra.

Recounting the onset of his condition in an earlier interview, Awuche said he had noticed his tongue expanding to the point where he could barely breathe, after which the rest of his body began growing rapidly within days, leading to his diagnosis with Marfan syndrome.

The condition forced him to abandon his ambition of becoming a driver and return to Gambaga about nine years ago.

Reflecting on how the illness altered his life, he recalled once being athletic and playing football like other young men, but said he could no longer walk even short distances.

Despite these challenges, he remained optimistic and embraced the public attention his height attracted.

His family has opted to bury him in Tamale rather than Gambaga, over concerns that the village would be overwhelmed by the large number of mourners expected at his funeral.