Ghana’s tallest man, Sulemana Abdul Samed, popularly known as Awuche, has died at the age of 33 following health complications associated with Marfan syndrome.

Samed passed away on Monday at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for severe infected sores on his legs. Although he was said to have shown signs of improvement, his condition reportedly worsened unexpectedly.

A family member, Sulemana Abdul Kudus, described his death as a painful loss, noting that many people have continued to visit the family home to express their condolences.

“He was a kind and generous person. Since his passing, many people have been coming to the house to ask what really happened,” Kudus said.

Samed was diagnosed with gigantism in his twenties. In 2022, the BBC measured him at 7 feet 4 inches (223 centimetres), making him widely recognised as Ghana’s tallest man. His family believes he may have grown even taller in the years that followed.

His extraordinary height was linked to Marfan syndrome, a hereditary disorder that affects the body’s connective tissues, resulting in unusually long limbs and other health complications. The illness also forced him to give up his dream of becoming a professional driver.

In an earlier interview, Samed recalled that the first sign of the condition appeared when his tongue became enlarged while he was working at a butcher’s shop in Accra at the age of 22. He later experienced rapid body growth before doctors confirmed he had Marfan syndrome.

Despite his health struggles, Samed remained cheerful and became a well-known figure across Ghana. His nickname, Awuche, which means “Let’s Go” in Hausa, became closely associated with his hometown of Gambaga and brought national attention to the community.

According to Kudus, Samed always proudly identified himself as being from Gambaga, helping to put the town on the map.

In the months leading up to his death, businessman Ibrahim Mahama, the brother of Ghanaian President John Mahama, had offered financial assistance to cover his medical expenses.

Family members explained that while the infected leg sores that led to his hospital admission were not directly caused by Marfan syndrome, they were believed to be complications related to his overall condition.

To accommodate the large number of expected mourners, the family said Samed will be laid to rest in Tamale instead of his hometown, Gambaga.

His passing has triggered widespread tributes across Ghana, particularly in the northern region, where he was remembered for his humility, generosity and resilience in the face of years of health challenges.