Ghana’s Tallest Man Sulemana Abdul Samed Dies at 33

The death of Sulemana Abdul Samed, widely recognised as Ghana’s tallest man, has sparked an outpouring of grief, particularly in northern Ghana, where his extraordinary height made him a beloved local figure.

The 33-year-old passed away on Monday while receiving treatment at Tamale Teaching Hospital after sores on his legs became infected. He had been admitted from his hometown of Gambaga, located about 160 kilometres north of Tamale.

Family members described him as a kind and generous man whose death has deeply affected the community.

“Everyone knew how generous and kind he was. From the time he died until now, many people have continued coming to the house to find out what exactly happened,” his relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, told the BBC.

Abdul Samed was diagnosed with gigantism in his 20s and was measured by the BBC in 2022 at 7 feet 4 inches (223 centimetres). It is believed he may have grown even taller before his death.

Popularly known as “Awuche,” meaning “Let’s Go” in the Hausa language, he lived with complications linked to Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that caused his unusually long limbs.

He had struggled to afford medical treatment until businessman Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, stepped in to cover his hospital expenses. Earlier this month, Mahama had shared an update on his treatment, which doctors said was progressing well.

According to Kudus, the sores on Awuche’s legs were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome but were likely a complication associated with his condition. Despite signs of improvement, he died on Monday morning.

His passing has left residents of Gambaga in shock. Kudus said Awuche had become a symbol of the community, putting the village on the map wherever he travelled.

“Whenever people asked where he was from, he proudly said Gambaga, and everyone knew it as the home of Ghana’s tallest man. He gave the community an identity,” Kudus said.

Awuche was not unusually tall during childhood. His rapid growth began at the age of 22 while working at a butcher’s shop in Ghana’s capital, Accra.

He previously told the BBC that he first noticed his tongue enlarging, making it difficult to breathe, before the rest of his body also began growing. He was later diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a disorder affecting the body’s connective tissues.

His condition eventually forced him to abandon his dream of becoming a driver and return to Gambaga. It also limited his mobility and ended his football activities.

“I used to play football like every other young man. I was athletic, but now I cannot even walk short distances,” he had said.

Despite the challenges, Awuche remained optimistic and embraced the attention that came with being Ghana’s tallest man.

His family has decided to lay him to rest in Tamale instead of Gambaga, saying the village would have been overwhelmed by the large number of mourners expected to attend his funeral.