A 27-year-old aspiring journalist, Derick Ofosu Gyan, is fighting to regain his sight after surviving a brutal acid attack allegedly carried out by his girlfriend several years ago.
Derick, who once dreamed of building a career in journalism, has been left completely blind following the tragic incident that occurred in 2021.
After completing Senior High School, Derick pursued a short journalism course as he worked toward his ambition of becoming a professional journalist. At the same time, he secured a contract job assisting with the replacement of electricity meters for the Electricity Company of Ghana across the country.
However, his life took a devastating turn after a dispute with a woman he had been dating.
According to Derick, the woman, who lived in Nsawam, once visited him at his residence in Sogakope in the Volta Region and spent the night.
Later that evening, Derick reportedly discovered messages on her phone suggesting she was romantically involved with other men. Feeling hurt and disappointed, he decided to end the relationship and blocked her on social media.
About a month after the breakup, Derick said the woman returned to his residence.
On that day, while preparing for work in the early hours of the morning, he stepped outside his home to bathe. It was at that moment, he recounted, that the woman confronted him and allegedly poured acid on him.
Neighbours quickly raised an alarm after hearing his cries for help. With the assistance of the local assemblyman, the suspect was arrested while allegedly attempting to flee the scene.
Derick later learned that the woman had been tried and sentenced to five years in prison for the attack. However, he said neither he nor members of his family were present during the court proceedings.
Since the attack, Derick has undergone three surgeries to treat severe burns affecting his face, chest, hands and legs. The injuries also resulted in permanent blindness, drastically changing the course of his life.
Once described as energetic and full of ambition, Derick now relies heavily on his mother, Aunty Lydia, for daily assistance and mobility.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, he says he has not given up on his dream of becoming a journalist.
Derick is now appealing to the public for financial support to undergo a specialised eye surgery in India. Doctors have reportedly indicated that the procedure could potentially restore his vision.
His mother expressed disappointment over how the family of the convicted woman handled the situation, saying they showed little concern following the incident.
While she believes justice has been served through the prison sentence, she says the family still needs support to help Derick access the medical treatment that could change his life.
The family is therefore appealing to the public, charitable organisations and well-meaning individuals to support Derick in his quest to regain his sight and rebuild his future.
