85 Ghanaians Evacuated From Cambodia Between March and May, Foreign Ministry Confirms

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that 85 Ghanaian nationals living in Cambodia have been evacuated and returned home between March and May 2026, following government intervention through diplomatic channels.

The evacuation was carried out through Ghana’s High Commission in Malaysia, which holds concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Cambodia, in collaboration with unnamed stakeholders. The disclosure came in a press release issued on May 29 amid public concern over a fake immigration notice that had been circulating on social and traditional media.

The fraudulent document, which claimed that Cambodia had ordered citizens from Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda and other African countries to leave the country by May 31 or face arrest and imprisonment, gained significant traction online before being debunked by the ministry.

“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 read.

However, the ministry made clear that the evacuation effort predated the fake notice. Some Ghanaian nationals in Cambodia had expressed a desire to voluntarily return home even before the false document began circulating, and the government had already begun facilitating their repatriation.

In a further development, the ministry disclosed that arrangements are underway to evacuate an additional 76 Ghanaians currently in Cambodia who have also signalled their willingness to return. If completed, the total number of returnees would reach 161.

The situation underscores the challenges faced by Ghanaian nationals abroad, particularly in parts of Southeast Asia where [Ghanaians have found themselves vulnerable to exploitation and precarious living conditions](/ghana-must-pursue-justice-for-south-african-xenophobic-attack-victims-beyond-evacuation-mp-says). The government’s willingness to act on voluntary return requests, rather than waiting for a crisis to escalate, marks a more proactive approach to consular protection.

Cambodia has in recent years become an increasingly common destination for Ghanaians and other West Africans seeking economic opportunities, though the circumstances that drive migration to the country are varied and often poorly understood. Reports of labour exploitation and trafficking in parts of Southeast Asia have prompted several African governments to strengthen their consular presence in the region.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide details on the conditions that prompted the evacuees’ desire to return or on the specific arrangements made for their repatriation. The statement focused primarily on countering the misinformation spread by the fake deportation notice while acknowledging the genuine need for consular support.

The episode highlights the intersection of misinformation, migration policy and diplomatic responsiveness. While the fake notice caused alarm, it also served to draw public attention to a real and ongoing consular operation that the government had been conducting quietly for months.

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