The Chairman of The Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has revealed that he narrowly escaped death during his six-year stay in South Africa, where he personally encountered the security challenges confronting foreign nationals in the country.
Apostle Nyamekye said he was attacked by armed robbers on two separate occasions, with the second incident posing a serious threat to his life.
He made the revelation when the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, paid a courtesy call on him at the headquarters of The Church of Pentecost at La in Accra.
Recalling his experience, Apostle Nyamekye said his encounters with crime had given him firsthand knowledge of the difficulties faced by Ghanaians and other foreigners living in South Africa.
“I lived in South Africa for about six years and I suffered a lot from some of these things. I almost died in South Africa. Two times, I was accosted by armed robbers. The last one was too dangerous. When I was leaving South Africa, my luggage was stolen.
“And then recently, I had to rush to South Africa, about a year plus ago, when our national deacon was kidnapped in the midst of an offering and I had to rush to South Africa. I was the right person to go, not because I was a chairman, but because they knew that I have also suffered from some of these things so I needed to go in there and speak.”
He said his personal experiences had strengthened his understanding of the security and social challenges confronting foreign nationals in South Africa, particularly amid recent reports of xenophobic attacks.
South Africa has in recent times witnessed incidents of violence targeting foreign nationals, with some attacks resulting in the destruction of businesses and property owned by foreigners.
The developments have also raised concerns over the safety, livelihoods and protection of Ghanaians and other African nationals living and doing business in the country.
