By Adnan Adams Mohammed
Evacuees who recently returned to Ghana from South Africa have voiced strong condemnation against what they describe as public humiliation and politicization of their plight,
They warned that the ongoing controversy is preventing the safe return of 46 citizens who remain stranded abroad.
Speaking on behalf of the returnees, Michael Addo, leader of the Aggrieved South Africa Evacuees, expressed deep frustration over the public narrative surrounding the rescue mission.
He accused sections of society and political actors of sacrificing the dignity and mental well-being of traumatized returnees under the guise of demanding financial accountability.
Pain Reduced to Public Humiliation
The outcry comes amid intense public scrutiny over the government’s reported GH¢49.72 million expenditure incurred in evacuating 1,964 Ghanaian nationals from South Africa. According to Mr. Addo, the fierce public debate has only worsened the distress of those who survived harsh conditions overseas.
“While we bravely recover from our trauma and pain, the very society we expect to protect us has reduced our pain to humiliation under the guise of seeking accountability,” Mr. Addo lamented during a press engagement.
He criticized attempts by political commentators, including elements within the Minority, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and media outlets, to push narratives of financial wrongdoing or to question the nature of the relief packages provided to evacuees upon their arrival.
“We are here to seek answers and demand an immediate end to the baseless attacks on us and the government that was sympathetic towards us,” he stated, pointing out that journalists who covered their arrival at the airport could directly attest to their dire condition.
Fears Over 46 Citizens Left Behind
Beyond the emotional toll on returnees, Mr. Addo revealed that the aggressive online backlash has actively harmed efforts to secure assistance for dozens of Ghanaians still stuck in South Africa who were slated to be part of the exercise.
“We have other brothers and sisters who are still over there who are willing to come,” Mr. Addo disclosed. “Currently, we still have 46 people who were supposed to be on the flight, but because of what is currently spreading on social media, we don’t even have the balls to beg the government to go and rescue them.”
Gratitude Amid Ongoing Struggles
Despite the backlash, the leadership of the group acknowledged the government’s intervention, noting that Ghanaians in South Africa had endured years of hostility without structured state support until this exercise.
“We have experienced xenophobia for many years, but this is the first time a government has taken our plight into account and come to our rescue,” Mr. Addo added.
He maintained that while public oversight is legitimate, the pursuit of accountability should not come at the expense of human dignity or jeopardize the safety of citizens who remain stranded in vulnerable situations abroad.
