FLASHBACK: What Ghana’s tallest man Awuche said about his health in 2023

Sulemana Abdul-Samed, popularly known as Awuche and believed to be Ghana’s tallest man, has passed away at the age of 33.

Awuche died in the early hours of Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, where he had been receiving medical attention after battling health complications linked to gigantism.

His death came weeks after businessman and philanthropist Ibrahim Mahama pledged to cover his medical expenses following a public appeal for support.

Before his passing, Awuche openly spoke about the challenges of living with his condition, including persistent pain, mobility difficulties and the impact his height had on his everyday life.

BREAKING: Ghana's tallest man is dead - Reports

He expressed sadness about his health struggles despite being recognised for his extraordinary height.

“It disturbs me a lot when I think that ‘Awuche’ is the tallest man in the country or in the world and then you get to a point where he is not feeling well. I don't feel happy about it. If my wound was not to be there, I would have been happy with it because someone tall like this should have been fit,” he said.

Awuche, who had been battling gigantism for several years, also appealed for support to undergo surgery to stop his continued growth.

“I need help for surgery because the doctors said the growth is in my head, so I need surgery to stop it,” he said in a 2023 interview with Citi TV.

He revealed that the condition caused him severe pain, including chronic pains in his spinal cord.

Speaking to the BBC also, Awuche described how his height affected his dreams and limited his ability to perform everyday activities.

“I was planning to go to driving school, but even when I shift the seat back, I can't hold the steering wheel. I can't stretch my legs because my knees will knock the wheel. I used to play football like every other young man; I was athletic, but now I cannot even walk short distances,” he said.

He also spoke about his continued growth

“I'm still growing taller. Who knows, maybe one day I may get to that height too. Every three or four months, I grow. If you haven't seen me for three or four months and you see me, you'd realise I have increased," Awuche noted.

Awuche also pointed out the everyday challenges that came with his height, including difficulties finding clothes that fit.

“If I'm going to buy a clothing material, sometimes I buy 12 yards for a dress and the tailor will call me and say that that's not enough so I have to buy an additional two yards to support it,” he said.

He further revealed that his mobile money business, which was his main source of income, had collapsed, adding to the difficulties he faced while managing his health condition.

JKB/VPO

Majority, Minority chant 'Free Wontumi', 'Bring Ken Back' after 2026 mid year budget review