When this reporter visited her at home for a interview, he was surprised that a woman of her stature did not have an office. We sat in the open air under the nim tree. It’s a big stretch of land. This same property serves as school, hostel and office premises for Business College Int., botanical gardens, nursery for ornamental plants, fruits processing factory, as well as residences for her children, grandchildren, workers and foreigners.

Before the interview, one of her grandson by name Bilal came around to find out my mission. After exchange of pleasantries and contact, this reporter, thinking she could not speak or understand English, expected Bilal, a medical student at UDS to interpret for her. To his surprise, she spoke fluent English and showed no loss of memory. (This reporter had earlier been told that Dr. Taimako has not been to school before but holds a degree).

Dr. Taimako tells her story: “Herbal medicine has and is still been part of our daily lives right from infancy. I remember my mother use to prepare them for myself and siblings”.

“When I saw the joy, gratitude and relief that the herbs my mother prepared brought to both friends and relations alike, I was deeply moved and decided to do likewise, to make people happy”.

“So at 8 years, I started practising. I received my first lessons from my mother. She would send me to the bush to bring this plant and that plant. Along the line, I learnt from my paternal grandfather and my late husband, who were all experts in their own rights when it comes to traditional medicine.”

“After a while, I realised I couldn’t go on treating people for free. I decided to charge a token. It was peanuts, but to the people, it was a lot. The charge was between 1-5 shillings. Most couldn’t pay, so they paid in kind with fowls, foodstuff and the like.

“Along the way, there was the need to join the national association of traditional healers so we can learn from each other. But there was no branch in the three northern regions of Ghana. I formed one and was elected its president. This meant that we could also receive assistance from the headquarters in Accra. Whenever we had travel to Accra for meetings, members would come from the northern parts of Ghana and would lodge with me so we can move as a group. But an insufficient fund was a challenge. As a result, many couldn’t attend. For the few who could attend, I had to sponsor them. Then I discovered they were poor because they weren’t charging for their services. I encouraged them to start doing so. It came to a time I had to stop sponsoring them. As a result, I travelled most times alone to Accra for such meetings. Eventually, our branch of the association collapsed because there was no help forthcoming from anywhere, but those in Accra and Kumasi had all the support they needed.”

Dr. Taimako shares some experiences with us. “I remember once we were in Accra I was asked to provide a sample of my herbal medicine for a sick fellow, but I had none with me. Thankfully, we could find the herbs in around. Surprisingly, even with the same ingredients and dosage, we didn’t achieve the same results. We had to use about four bottles instead of one. Ever since, no matter the distance or place, I don’t rely on local raw materials. I carry the medicine all the way from Tamale. At another meeting in Accra, one of us who heals snake bites was asked to reveal the particular herbs he uses. He was from the Volta Region and has been healing for six years. After that, his medicine was available on the open market. He did all that he could to be credited with the cure so he claim royalty but to no avail. He died a pauper. A similar situation nearly befell me. But I had learnt from this man’s experience. I told them about one ingredient, mahogany. Even with that, a weaker type of my herbal medicine became available on the market. When I complained, the authorities told me one of my workers could have leaked the information.”

I asked Dr. Hajia if any of her medicine has been certified by the Institute of Research into Herbal Medicine at Mampong. She said no, and explained further that when she sent them sample, they told her that she had to reduce the concentration of the main herb. This according to her infuriated her because nobody has yet died from her medicine. She claimed such a move will reduce the efficacy of the medicine. And that was it. Without certification, Dr. Salamatu enjoys a lot of good will from her clients who keep patronising her medicine. Perhaps the greatest testimonial of her efficiency was when she was awarded an honorary degree from the University for Development Studies, Tamale. Currently, she’s actively documenting her experiences and the processes involved in herbal preparation.


According to her, she is not against medical doctors, ‘white’ medicine or hospitals. She claims that they each compliment each other as no one has all the answers. She added that “back then, I use to tell my patients that if you are not well after 7 days, go to the hospital. I still do that now”.

Indeed she has broken all barriers. She has travelled far and near to virtually every corner of Ghana to heal. Who said you have to go to school before you can attain your dreams. Today she has graduate children and grandchildren. She has lived well and we can only say God bless you.