Hearts of Oak legend Ablade Morgan has detailed how an experience at a herbal hospital in Ethiopia led to him acquiring a skillset that has become his major source of livelihood after his football career.
In an interview with Television CK, Ablade Morgan explained that during his stint in China as a footballer, he suffered a tooth problem which forced him to travel to Ethiopia to seek healthcare.
While undergoing treatment in Ethiopia, Ablade Morgan made time to study the processes involved in creating the herbal medicine that was being used to treat his problem.
According to his narration, he learned the skill not with the mindset of relying on it as a major livelihood source later in life, but just to help people around him.
After hanging up his boots and spending time in Ghana, Ablade Morgan, after a few experiences, realized that the skill he learned in Ethiopia could be commercialized to give him some financial stability.
He then approached a medical doctor who gave him some directions and helped him secure approval from various authorities, including the Food and Drugs Authority.
“During my stay in China, I had a tooth problem, so I had to seek help in Ethiopia, and while there, I learned how to make the medicine. Initially, I wasn’t making use of the skill except for my family, whom I used to help whenever someone complained of a toothache.
“A certain friend of mine had his tooth removed and he developed complications. Eventually, he died, but before that, I started treating him with my medicine, but unfortunately, it was too late.
“Having realized the efficacy of my medicine, I spoke to a medical doctor who operated a pharmacy opposite my house, and that’s how we commercialized the whole thing. I took it to the authorities and got approval after six months of tests and got FDA approval as well,” he said.
Ablade Morgan, who confessed to owning houses and cars, indicated that life is not difficult for him and that he also finds dignity in labour and does not mind going to lorry stations to market his product.
“People did not look down on me and I’m not shy of my hustle. I have done labourer work and other things. I sometimes even send my medicine to the Ashaiman trotro station to sell,” he said.
Ablade Morgan spent time with Hearts of Oak, where he won the 2004 CAF Confederations Cup. He also played for Liberty Professionals.
At the national team level, Ablade Morgan made some appearances for the Black Stars, especially in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
