The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has described as completely untrue a notice circulating widely on social and traditional media platforms that purported to order African nationals, including Ghanaians, to leave Cambodia by May 31, 2026, or face arrest, imprisonment and financial penalties for immigration violations.
Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa confirmed in a tweet on Friday, May 29, 2026, that Cambodian authorities have issued a press clarification stating that the purported notice is fake.
“Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautions that the notice in circulation claiming that Ghanaians have been asked to leave Cambodia is FAKE. Cambodian authorities have confirmed to us that they have issued no such notice. The Cambodian Ministry of Interior has proceeded to issue a press clarification today stating that the purported notice is ‘completely untrue’,” Mr Ablakwa wrote.
The General Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia issued a press clarification on Friday stating that it had observed that certain websites with the addresses and published information in English stating “Cambodia Orders Africans with Expired Immigration Waivers to Leave by May 31, 2026”.
“The General Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to clarify that the information published on those websites is completely untrue,” the Cambodian statement read.
The Cambodian authorities have directed the public to obtain official information from the official website of the General Department of Immigration at www.immigration.gov.kh or via the hotline number (+855) 78 38 66 99.
In a separate press release issued in Accra on Friday, the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated 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 advised the general public and the Ghanaian media to disregard the discredited document and avoid sharing unverified information capable of creating unnecessary fear and anxiety among affected persons and their families.
However, the Ministry disclosed that some Ghanaian nationals resident in Cambodia had prior to this development expressed desire to voluntarily return to Ghana.
The Government of Ghana, through its High Commission in Malaysia which is concurrently accredited to the Kingdom of Cambodia, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has already facilitated the evacuation of eighty-five Ghanaian nationals between March and May 2026.
“I can assure Ghanaians that prior to the publication of this fake notice, a number of Ghanaians in Cambodia had reached out to us requesting to be evacuated, and are already being assisted by the Foreign Ministry and our High Commission in Malaysia,” Mr Ablakwa said.
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.
“Between March and May this year, we have evacuated 85 Ghanaians from Cambodia. 76 more are being evacuated to complete the exercise. The welfare of Ghanaians anywhere in the world remains our priority,” the Foreign Minister stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it will continue to work in close collaboration with all relevant authorities to ensure the safety, welfare and protection of Ghanaian nationals in Cambodia, and commended the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia for their impressive cooperation.
The government of Ghana reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interest of Ghanaian nationals and urged the public to rely solely on official sources for information on matters concerning Ghanaian nationals.
