Alex Degle, a 28-year-old Ghanaian, was severely disfigured in an acid attack in Dubai in December 2023. He alleges a fellow Ghanaian, Michael, attacked him following a disagreement over a 20-dirham (approximately $6.00) debt. Degle returned to Ghana after months of hospital treatment and plastic surgery, facing significant challenges in securing justice and stable employment.
The attack left Degle with a disfigured face and severe scars across his body. He had travelled to Dubai seeking better work opportunities to support his wife, two children, and mother. Instead, he returned to Ghana in January 2024, his ability to earn a living severely hampered by his injuries and the emotional trauma.
This incident highlights the precarious situations many Ghanaians face when seeking opportunities abroad, often encountering unexpected hardships and a lack of robust support systems. The struggle for justice in a foreign legal system, coupled with the financial strain of medical treatment, can leave individuals in dire circumstances upon their return. This situation adds to the broader narrative of economic migration and its inherent risks for Ghanaian citizens.
According to Degle, Dubai police arrested Michael and referred the case to the public prosecutor. He also sought assistance from the Ghanaian Consulate in Dubai, which reportedly arranged for a lawyer. However, Degle claims the lawyer failed to attend a court proceeding and later demanded 24,000 dirhams (approximately $6,535) for legal fees. Unable to afford these costs and with no income, Degle was forced to return to Ghana without resolution.
Upon his return, Degle submitted documents related to the case to Ghanaian authorities, including information about his alleged attacker. Despite several follow-ups, he states he has received no substantive updates. He believes Michael remains in Dubai, evading justice for the attack that irrevocably altered Degle's life.
Degle's ordeal continued in Ghana, where his injuries have made it difficult to find stable work. He now operates a commercial motorbike, known as Okada, to support his family. He earns between GHS 150 and GHS 200 on a good day, but some passengers refuse his services due to his appearance. This income is barely sufficient to cover food, school expenses for his children, and other household needs.
The family lives in an unfinished structure lacking basic sanitation, with rainwater entering their room during heavy downpours. Degle's children often struggle to obtain essential school supplies. Despite these immense challenges, he continues to work daily, driven by his family's dependence on his earnings.
Degle also attempted to create another income source by constructing a container shop for his wife with his limited savings. However, the shop remains empty because he cannot afford to stock it with goods. He expresses a strong desire to avoid relying on public assistance and hopes to secure a stable driving job, as he holds a professional driving license.
Beyond rebuilding his livelihood, Degle's primary wish is for justice to be served against the man he accuses of the acid attack. His story underscores the urgent need for better support mechanisms for Ghanaians facing crises abroad and for more effective cross-border legal assistance. His appeal is for help to work again and for the legal system to hold his alleged attacker accountable.