Foreign Affairs Ministry dismisses fake Cambodia deportation notice targeting Africans

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 press release issued on May 29, the ministry clarified that the document being shared across social media and some traditional media platforms was fake and had not been issued by Cambodian immigration authorities.

According to the ministry, the false circular 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 stated that diplomatic engagements with Cambodian authorities confirmed that the document was entirely fabricated.

“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.

The ministry further disclosed that the General Department of Immigration under Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior had officially issued a clarification rejecting the authenticity of the notice.

According to Cambodian authorities, the alleged immigration directive was “completely untrue.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs therefore urged the public and media organisations to disregard the fake document and refrain from spreading unverified information capable of causing panic among Ghanaians living in Cambodia and their relatives 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 as fake, the ministry revealed that some Ghanaians residing in Cambodia had already expressed interest in voluntarily returning home before the circulation of the false information.

According to the ministry, the Government of Ghana, through its High Commission in Malaysia — which is concurrently accredited to Cambodia — has facilitated the evacuation of 85 Ghanaians between March and May 2026.

The ministry also disclosed that arrangements are currently underway to support the return of an additional 76 Ghanaian nationals who have indicated their 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 government assured the public that it remains committed to protecting the welfare and safety of Ghanaians living abroad.

According to the ministry, 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 stated.

The government also commended Cambodian authorities for their cooperation throughout the process and urged the public to rely only on official information regarding matters affecting Ghanaian nationals abroad.

“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 statement concluded.