Sulemana Abdul Samed, known locally as Awuche, passed away on Monday morning at Tamale Teaching Hospital in northern Ghana at the age of 33. His death has generated significant mourning, particularly in the northern regions of the country where his exceptional height had made him a widely recognized figure. He was admitted to the facility due to infected sores on his legs, a complication stemming from his underlying medical condition.
When measured by the BBC in 2023, Awuche stood 7ft 4in tall, and medical professionals indicated he had likely continued growing beyond that measurement. His remarkable stature resulted from Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting connective tissue that caused his extremely elongated limbs. The condition had presented initial symptoms when he was 22 years old while working at a butcher shop in Accra, Ghana’s capital city. At that time, he noticed his tongue had expanded significantly and subsequently observed that other parts of his body began enlarging at an accelerated rate.
Awuche had faced considerable financial strain managing his medical care until recently. Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghana’s President John Mahama, became a benefactor and committed to covering his hospital expenses at Tamale Teaching Hospital. Earlier in the current month, Mahama provided an update regarding the planned treatment course. Despite indications from medical staff that Awuche had responded positively to treatment, he died unexpectedly Monday morning.
His height had profoundly shaped his identity and that of his home village of Gambaga. Family members explained that his condition had forced him to abandon aspirations of becoming a driver approximately nine years prior and return to his village. The unique status brought recognition to his community, with residents noting that Awuche consistently identified himself as being from Gambaga, creating awareness of the village throughout the country. His celebrity status had not diminished his generosity; relatives described him as kind and popular. The family decided to conduct his funeral in Tamale rather than Gambaga to prevent the village from being overwhelmed by mourners traveling to pay respects.
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