In brief
Sulemana Abdul Samed, famed as Awuche, died in Tamale after complications from his condition left him with infected leg sores. The 33‑year‑old, who measured 7ft 4in in 2023, was a local celebrity and noted for his kind heart. He suffered from Marfan syndrome, which caused his extraordinary height and health challenges. His passing has stirred an outpouring of grief across Ghana, especially in his home village of Gambaga.
Ghana has lost a towering figure—Sulemana Abdul Samed, known locally as Awuche, was the country's tallest man and a beloved community icon.
At 7ft 4in tall, he measured 223cm in a BBC survey in 2023 and earned a reputation for giving back to his people.
On Monday, he died in Tamale after infection from leg sores, related to complications of his Marfan syndrome, despite doctors’ best efforts.
Family members and fans say the giant’s kindness was as grand as his stature, and his passing has left the city in grief.
An older brother of Ghana’s former president, Ibrahim Mahama, had recently stepped in to cover Awuche’s medical bills, illustrating community solidarity amid his health challenges.
While the youngest of the few to benefit from supportive networks, Awuche’s headline‑making height captured media attention worldwide, prompting Deep‑Dive stories about whether he could still be the world’s tallest.
He travelled beyond his hometown, always greeting visitors with humility, and his legacy will inspire future generations of Ghanaian giants.
