'I can finally walk freely' - Returnee reflects on escaping 13 years of fear in SA

Dillys Edem, one of the 300 Ghanaians airlifted from South Africa due to rising xenophobic attacks, has expressed relief after her safe arrival in the country.

Recounting some events from her nearly 13 years' stay in South Africa, Edem says she can finally breathe freely again.

Shot, Bullet in Spinal Cord: Ghanaian returnee shares ordeal in SA xenophobia attacks

Sharing her emotional story on Citi Eyewitness News on Thursday, May 28 2026, she narrated the stark difference between the anxiety she endured abroad and the peace she now feels.

“2nd July will be 13 years, I feel good to be back home because I was not free when I was there. I am 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 said.

Edem said the sense of safety and happiness hit her almost immediately upon arrival.

“But since yesterday, I feel very free. I am very happy,” she said.

She expressed deep gratitude to the government for its swift intervention, which brought her and others home safely.

“I thank our President for a good job and our High Commissioner and the Foreign Affairs Minister,” she added.

Her return comes after weeks of heightened tensions in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals, including Ghanaians, faced harassment, threats and attacks.

Many like Dillys had built lives there over the years, but lived with the daily dread of becoming targets simply for being foreigners.

The government-coordinated evacuation, facilitated through Ghana’s High Commission in South Africa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has brought a measure of relief to families separated by fear.

NA/VPO

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