Ibrahim Mahama steps in to cover medical expenses of Ghana’s tallest man, Awuche, after public plea for help

– In a remarkable act of compassion, Ghanaian businessman and philanthropist Dr. Ibrahim Mahama has pledged to fully cover the medical expenses of Abdul-Samed Sulemana, popularly known as Awuche, the man believed to be Ghana’s tallest living person.

Awuche, 33, a native of Gambaga in the North East Region, has been battling gigantism for years. He suffers from acromegaly, a rare endocrine disorder caused by an excess of growth hormone, which has led to severe complications including spinal pain and chronic ulcer wounds. His condition has deteriorated to the point where doctors have recommended the amputation of his left leg due to a severe infection that has caused part of the limb to rot. He also suffers from a hunched back and significant mobility issues.

A Desperate Plea for Help

Awuche had been unable to report to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for the life-saving procedure because of financial difficulties. He made a public appeal for support, revealing that despite receiving help from family and well-wishers in the past, his condition had worsened and he urgently needed financial assistance to undergo surgery and prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of his body.

Mahama’s Swift Intervention

Responding to the public appeal, Dr. Ibrahim Mahama, Chief Executive Officer of Engineers & Planners, moved swiftly. Rafik Mahama, an aide to the businessman, announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that he had reached out to Awuche and his family to assure them of full support.

“Mr Ibrahim Mahama has pledged to fully cover Awuche’s hospital bills, including the costs of his medical treatment and surgery,” Rafik Mahama stated.

Special arrangements were made for Awuche to travel to Tamale on the same day. He has since safely arrived at the Tamale Teaching Hospital and begun the necessary medical procedures.

A Legacy of Generosity

This is far from the first time Dr. Mahama has extended a helping hand to those in need. Over the years, he has financed life-saving treatments for numerous Ghanaians unable to afford them. Records show he donated $100,000 in 2024 for a 10-year-old girl battling stage 4 leukaemia, and $25,000 toward a kidney transplant for a 13-year-old patient.

Earlier this year, he donated GH¢200,000 to a Ghanaian affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa. He also contributed $5 million to support the Black Stars’ 2026 World Cup campaign and has been recognised for co-founding the Joyce Tamakloe Cancer Foundation. In recognition of his philanthropy and business excellence, the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) conferred a Doctorate Degree on him.

“You Can Never Be the Richest Man in the Cemetery”

Dr. Mahama has previously stressed the need for affluent individuals to extend support to their communities, emphasising that failure to do so is imprudence. “You can never be the richest man in the cemetery,” he once said.

Hope for a Full Recovery

As Awuche embarks on his treatment and recovery journey, his family and well-wishers remain hopeful. Rafik Mahama has appealed to the public to continue keeping Awuche in their prayers.

“At this stage, we kindly ask the public to continue keeping him in their prayers as he embarks on his treatment and recovery journey,” he said. “We wish Awuche a successful procedure, a smooth recovery, and a full return to good health”.

For Awuche, who has endured years of pain and uncertainty, Dr. Mahama’s intervention represents not just financial relief, but a lifeline. For Ghana, it is yet another reminder that true wealth is measured not by what one owns, but by the lives one touches.