By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has dismissed a widely circulated notice claiming that African nationals living in Cambodia must leave the country or face immediate legal consequences.
The document circulated heavily across social and traditional media platforms. It alleged that citizens from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, and other African nations had been directed to leave Cambodia by May 31. The false notice threatened non-compliant individuals with arrest, imprisonment, and financial penalties for immigration violations. The fabrication specifically targeted these sub-Saharan migrant communities, sparking widespread concern within the respective diaspora groups.
Diplomatic Verification Confirms Forgery
Ghanaian diplomatic officials immediately launched an inquiry with their counterparts in Phnom Penh to verify the authenticity of the directive. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently confirmed that Cambodian immigration authorities had no involvement with the document.
“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 ministry said.
The General Department of Immigration under Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior also issued an official clarification rejecting the document. Cambodian authorities explicitly labeled the alleged immigration notice as “completely untrue”.
Government Calls for Calm and Media Responsibility
The sudden spread of the fraudulent document triggered immediate concern among West African expatriates and their families. Government officials are now moving to contain the fallout and prevent widespread panic.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the public and media organizations to ignore the fake document. Officials warned against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic 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 stated.
Pre-Existing Evacuation Efforts Remain Active
While the deportation scare has been debunked, the region remains a focus for Ghanaian consular services. A significant number of citizens had already expressed interest in voluntarily returning home before the false information began to circulate.
The Government of Ghana has been actively managing these returns through its High Commission in Malaysia, which is concurrently accredited to Cambodia. These coordinated consular efforts successfully facilitated the evacuation of 85 Ghanaians between March and May 2026.
Diplomatic channels remain open to handle a second wave of voluntary repatriations.
“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 added.
International Cooperation Secures Citizen Welfare
State officials emphasized that consular support and protective measures will continue uninterrupted despite the internet hoax. The ministry assured the public that the government remains committed to the safety and welfare of Ghanaians living abroad.
Ghanaian authorities continue to work closely with Cambodian officials to ensure the protection and 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 noted.
The government also commended the 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 statement said.
Broader Geopolitical Context Resonates with Diaspora Communities
The anxiety surrounding the fake Cambodian notice comes at a time of heightened sensitivity for the African diaspora. State-sponsored repatriation programs have become a prominent focus of Ghanaian foreign policy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has faced concurrent pressure to safeguard citizens navigating volatile immigration environments globally. This landscape has made migrant communities highly receptive to both official updates and unverified online notices.
As the May 31 deadline passes without incident, diplomatic channels between Accra and Phnom Penh remain focused on the structured, voluntary repatriation process. Both governments have emphasized that bilateral relations and routine immigration enforcement remain normalized, independent of the online misinformation campaign.
