A wave of grief has swept across Ghana following the death of the country’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awuche, who passed away at the age of 33 after a prolonged battle with health complications.

Awuche, a towering figure both in stature and public admiration, died on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for infected sores on his legs. His death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from residents, friends, and admirers across northern Ghana, particularly in his hometown of Gambaga, where he was regarded as a symbol of pride and identity.

Family members described him as a humble, generous, and compassionate individual whose presence touched countless lives.

Speaking on the loss, his relative, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, said the news had left the community devastated.

“Everyone knew how generous and kind he was. Since news of his death broke, people have continued to visit the family home to find out exactly what happened,” Kudus said.

Awuche rose to national prominence because of his extraordinary height. In 2022, the BBC measured him at an impressive 7 feet 4 inches (223 centimetres), making him the tallest known person in Ghana at the time. Relatives, however, believed he had continued to grow even taller in the years that followed.

Fondly called “Awuche,” a Hausa expression meaning “Let’s go,” he lived for years with complications linked to Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting connective tissues. The condition contributed to his unusually long limbs and exceptional height while also causing a range of health challenges that increasingly affected his quality of life.

Despite his growing fame, Awuche’s journey was marked by hardship. Reports indicated that he often struggled to afford the medical care required to manage his condition. Relief came when businessman Ibrahim Mahama, brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, stepped in to support his treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Mahama had reportedly maintained an interest in his health and had recently shared updates on efforts to improve his medical care.

According to Kudus, the sores that eventually led to his hospitalization were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome but were believed to be complications associated with the condition. Although doctors reportedly expressed optimism about his recovery and said he was responding positively to treatment, he died unexpectedly on Monday morning.

“Everyone is just sad,” Kudus said, noting that residents of Gambaga were struggling to come to terms with the loss of one of their most recognizable sons.

Beyond his remarkable height, Awuche became an ambassador for his community. His fame brought national attention to Gambaga, a town that many Ghanaians came to associate with the gentle giant.

“Wherever he went in the country, when people asked where he was from, he proudly said Gambaga. People immediately knew it as the home of Ghana’s tallest man. He gave the community an identity and made us proud,” Kudus added.

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Interestingly, Awuche was not born exceptionally tall. According to previous accounts, his dramatic physical transformation began around the age of 22 while he was working at a butcher’s shop in Accra.

Recalling the early signs of his condition, he once explained that his tongue began enlarging to the point where breathing became difficult.

“I realised my tongue had expanded in my mouth to the extent that I could not breathe properly,” he had said.

Soon afterward, the rest of his body started growing rapidly, prompting medical examinations that eventually led to a diagnosis of Marfan syndrome.

The condition altered the course of his life. Forced to abandon his dream of becoming a professional driver, Awuche returned to Gambaga nearly a decade ago as his health challenges intensified.

He often spoke about how the illness robbed him of activities he once enjoyed.

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

Yet, despite the physical limitations and emotional burden of his condition, Awuche remained remarkably optimistic. He embraced the public attention that came with being Ghana’s tallest man and became an inspirational figure known for his resilience, humility, and positive outlook on life.

His family has announced that he will be buried in Tamale rather than Gambaga, citing concerns that the village may not be able to accommodate the large number of mourners expected to attend his funeral.

As tributes continue to pour in, many Ghanaians are remembering Awuche not merely for his extraordinary height but for the warmth, kindness, and courage that made him a giant in the hearts of those who knew him.