An evacuee from South Africa, Dillys Edem, says she feels relieved and safe after returning to Ghana following evacuation arrangements triggered by rising xenophobic tensions.
Speaking on Citi News on Thursday, May 28, 2026, she expressed gratitude to government officials for facilitating her return, describing her life in South Africa as difficult and filled with fear.
“2nd July will be 13 years,” she said. “I feel good to be back home because I was not free when I was there. I was always afraid. I can’t walk freely, I can’t do anything freely. Even to go and buy something, I have to wait till after 4. So I am afraid always.”
She added that since arriving in Ghana, she has felt a strong sense of relief and happiness.
“But since yesterday, I feel very free. I am very happy,” she said.
Edem also commended President John Dramani Mahama and officials involved in the evacuation exercise, including Ghana’s High Commissioner and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for their efforts in ensuring the safe return of citizens.
“I thank our President for a good job and our High Commissioner and the Foreign Affairs Minister,” she added.
Her comments come after the first batch of Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa arrived in Accra on Wednesday, May 27, as part of a government-coordinated response to reports of intimidation, attacks, and hostility against foreign nationals.
The evacuation was carried out through Ghana’s diplomatic mission in South Africa in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Authorities say many of the returnees fled areas where tensions had escalated in recent weeks amid reports of harassment, threats, and destruction of property targeting migrant communities.
Officials have indicated that further evacuation exercises may follow as monitoring and diplomatic engagement continue.
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