The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed as false a widely circulated notice claiming that African nationals living in Cambodia, including Ghanaians, had been ordered to leave the country or face arrest and imprisonment.
In a statement issued on May 29, the ministry said the document, which has been shared across social media and other platforms, was fake and did not originate from Cambodian immigration authorities.
The false notice alleged that citizens from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and several other African countries had been directed to leave Cambodia by May 31 or risk arrest, imprisonment and financial penalties for alleged immigration violations.
However, the ministry said engagements with Cambodian authorities had confirmed that the document was not authentic.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the public that following diplomatic engagements with the relevant Cambodian authorities, it has been confirmed that the said notice is absolutely fake and was not issued by any state institution in Cambodia,” the statement said.
According to the ministry, Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior has also officially rejected the document, describing the alleged immigration directive as “completely untrue”.
The ministry therefore urged the public and media organisations to disregard the fake notice and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing fear and anxiety among Ghanaians living in Cambodia and their families back home.
“The general public and the Ghanaian media are advised to disregard the discredited document and avoid sharing unverified information capable of creating unnecessary fear and anxiety among affected persons and their families,” the ministry added.
Despite dismissing the notice, the ministry revealed that some Ghanaians in Cambodia had already expressed interest in voluntarily returning home before the false information began circulating.
It said the Government of Ghana, through its High Commission in Malaysia, which is concurrently accredited to Cambodia, had facilitated the evacuation of 85 Ghanaians between March and May 2026.
The ministry further disclosed that arrangements are currently underway to support the return of an additional 76 Ghanaian nationals who have also expressed the desire to return home.
“It is worth noting that arrangements are ongoing to equally facilitate the evacuation of an additional seventy-six Ghanaian nationals who are currently in Cambodia and have expressed the desire to return home,” the statement noted.
The ministry assured the public that the government remains committed to protecting the welfare and safety of Ghanaians living abroad.
It added that Ghanaian authorities are continuing to work closely with Cambodian officials to ensure the safe return of affected nationals.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working in conjunction with competent authorities in Cambodia to ensure the safe return of these Ghanaians,” the release said.
The government also commended Cambodian authorities for their cooperation throughout the process.
“The Government of Ghana reiterates its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Ghanaian nationals and urges the public to rely solely on official sources for information on matters concerning Ghanaian nationals,” the ministry stated.