Ghana’s Tallest Man, Sulemana Dies at 33

Ghana’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, has died at the age of 33 after battling health complications linked to Marfan syndrome, a condition that affected his growth and mobility.

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Samed, popularly called Awuche, passed away while receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital in northern Ghana, where he had been admitted following worsening leg sores.

His family said the condition appeared to improve before his health suddenly declined, leaving relatives and residents of his community devastated.

A family member, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, described him as a kind-hearted person whose popularity extended far beyond his hometown.

“People knew him for his generosity and humility. Since his passing, many have continued to visit the family because they want to understand what happened,” Kudus said.

Samed gained national attention after he was measured by the BBC in 2022 and recorded a height of 7 feet 4 inches (223 centimetres), making him one of the tallest people in Ghana’s history.

His family, however, believed he may have grown taller in the years before his death due to the effects of Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects connective tissues in the body.

The condition caused unusual physical development, including extremely long limbs, and disrupted his plans to become a professional driver.

Samed had moved to Accra in search of opportunities but later returned to Gambaga after his health challenges made it difficult for him to continue pursuing his career ambitions.

He previously revealed that he first noticed changes in his body when he was 22 years old while working at a butcher’s shop in Accra.

According to him, the first sign was an unusual enlargement of his tongue, which affected his breathing before other parts of his body began growing rapidly.

Doctors later confirmed that he had Marfan syndrome, a diagnosis that changed the direction of his life but did not stop him from becoming a source of inspiration to many.

Despite years of medical struggles, Samed remained optimistic and embraced his identity as a symbol of resilience in northern Ghana.

His nickname, Awuche, a Hausa expression meaning “Let’s Go,” became closely associated with Gambaga and helped draw attention to the community.

Kudus said Samed’s fame gave Gambaga a special recognition across Ghana because people often connected the town with the country’s tallest man.

“Whenever he introduced himself, he proudly mentioned Gambaga, and people immediately remembered it as the home of Awuche,” he said.

Before his death, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, supported Samed’s medical treatment by assisting with his hospital expenses.

The family explained that the leg sores that eventually led to his hospitalisation were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome but may have been related to complications from the condition.

Due to expectations of a large number of mourners, relatives decided that Samed would be buried in Tamale instead of Gambaga, where he was widely celebrated.

His death has triggered widespread mourning, with many Ghanaians remembering him for his generosity, courage and positive outlook despite the challenges he faced throughout his life.