Dr. Edu Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Edu Herbal Clinic, has shared his remarkable life story of resilience, sacrifice, and determination during an interview on The Journey Show on Adom TV with host Abena Ghana.
Speaking about his early years, Dr. Edu Mohammed revealed his passion for numbers as a child. “I loved accounting when I was young. My schoolmates even called me ‘mathematician’ because of how good I was,” he said. He recalled solving calculations mentally while others relied on calculators, which inspired his dream of becoming a banker or accountant.
However, life took a difficult turn following the painful death of his mother. With limited support from his father, Dr. Edu Mohammed had to fend for himself and contribute to the welfare of his siblings. To survive, he took on various jobs, including weaving baskets, while continuing his education. Despite these challenges, he completed secondary school with distinction.
Although he had aspirations of furthering his education, financial difficulties became a major setback. A promised sponsorship from an uncle did not materialize, forcing him to travel to Nigeria in search of better opportunities. Unfortunately, the venture was unsuccessful, and he returned to Ghana to live with his grandfather, a traditionalist.
While staying with his grandfather, Dr. Edu Mohammed worked with Top Oil Plantation in Praso and managed to save enough money to begin his university education. However, he was unable to complete his studies due to financial constraints.
His journey into herbal medicine began in Saltpond, where he assisted a medical doctor as a personal aide. A turning point came when a foreigner whose child he had helped care for introduced him to herbal medicine. The man, who operated Obatanpa Herbal Clinic, invited Dr. Edu Mohammed to join him. In 1999, he became a professional in the field and worked closely with him from 2003 to 2013.
Dr. Mohammed has now spent over three decades in herbal medicine and currently serves as the patron for the Ghana National Association of Traditional Medicine in the Central Region. He attributes his success to years of sacrifice, continuous learning, and dedication to the profession.
He emphasized the vast opportunities within the herbal industry, encouraging young people to consider careers in the sector. “There is money and opportunity in herbal medicine, but many young people are not patient enough to learn the trade,” he noted.
Dr. Edu Mohammed also highlighted the importance of continuous education, stating that he travels internationally to enhance his knowledge and regularly studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology every two years.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Food and Drugs Authority in regulating the sector, he called for greater involvement of experienced practitioners in policy formulation, stressing that current policies sometimes limit the growth of traditional medicine.
He further advised practitioners in the field to ensure they acquire the proper documentation before operating, emphasizing professionalism and adherence to standards.
Dr. Edu Mohammed’s story stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, hard work, and the transformative power of determination.