The harrowing experience of Peter Mensah, a teacher by profession and former Techiman North Constituency Organizing Secretary who escaped murder attempt on his life continues to linger on years after the unfortunate incident.
October 20, 2012 he remains a day he disclosed in an exclusive interview with mynewsgh.com that remain one of his nightmares after being subjected to an acid bath by unknown assailants who are yet to be arrested almost five years after the incident.
Peter Mensah who was recently nominated among the 212 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to serve under the new government in his district, is happy that his toil that nearly cost his life paid off.
“I never pray that even my enemy will go through such an experience. I feel I was fighting a just course and nearly died in line of my duty as a party official. As we speak today, I am fulfilled because what I wanted to achieve is a dream come true. The NPP has won power; my toil has been recognized because President has nominated me to serve”, he revealed.
Asked if he was deserted by the party in his time of need, he said “never! They were there for me and contributed in cash and kind and ensured my recovery under the industrious leadership of Jake Otanka Obetsebi Lamptey may his soul rest in peace. Funds were solicited and within a matter of time, life bounced back to normal”
According to him, championing a political course was not an easy task but he feels overjoyed that his hustle is over with the victory of the party urging the younger ones to be patient and commit to party work because it will surely pay off some day.
It would be recalled that the NPP leader escaped an assassination attempt on his life by some unknown assailants believed to be members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the time which left him in a situation and nearly jeopardized his entire life if he was not well taken care of.
The rationale of the action by the perpetrators is not known years after the horrendous experience.
Recounting the incident, Mr. Mensah disclosed that he attended a peace programme at the Methodist Church Techiman branch on behalf of then Member of Parliament (MP) for Techiman North Professor Ameyaw Akumfi.
The programme according to him was aimed at fostering peace and cohesion among the various political parties and contestants before, during and after the elections which he duly represented.
A few moments to the close of the programme, he excused himself to attend other equally important engagements elsewhere within the municipality
He was reported to have asked one Boahen Isaac a friend to join him in his Toyota Corrola salon car with registration number GT6572X to undertake the assignments he was due to perform.
Halfway on their trip at about 7pm, they noticed that they were being trailed by two unidentified persons using an unregistered motorbike heading towards their direction.
He thought to himself the rider and his pillion rider perhaps could have been mere travelers and never conceived any ill intentions but the riders on getting closer rode straight to the driver’s door.
The pillion rider with a content of liquid substances in a gallon believed to be the acid sprayed it on him and sped off immediately.
“I experienced sudden sharp burns all over his body and had to rip myself of all my clothes in the process to save further burns”, he disclosed.
His colleague who on seeing what had befallen them took over the steering wheel and drove him to the Holy Family Hospital where they were administered first aid and referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for further specialist attention.
Mr. Mensah disclosed that he was certain some politicians from the opposing side had orchestrated the assassination attempt on his life but indicated he was yet to officially lodge a complaint with the police.