Phnom penh: The Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia has firmly dismissed circulating reports that allege African nationals, including Ghanaians, have been instructed to leave the country by May 31, 2026, labeling the information as 'completely untrue.'
According to Ghana News Agency, a statement from the General Department of Immigration under Cambodia's Ministry of Interior addressed the inaccuracies published by some media outlets. These reports suggested that Africans with expired immigration waivers were directed to leave the country or face penalties. However, the department clarified that no such directive had been issued and urged the public to rely on official channels for accurate information.
The statement, issued in Phnom Penh on May 29, came amidst rising concerns within African communities following unverified claims that nationals from countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, and Uganda could face arrest, imprisonment, or fines if they remained in Cambodia past the alleged deadline. This prompted Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage Cambodian authorities, who confirmed the immigration notice was fake.
In a press release from Accra, Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reassured the public that diplomatic talks with Cambodian authorities verified the notice was not issued by any state institution and advised against sharing unverified information that could incite fear.
The Ministry highlighted that Cambodia's General Department of Immigration had officially debunked the false information and encouraged the media and public to refrain from circulating unfounded reports. It also clarified that the situation was unrelated to the voluntary repatriation efforts for Ghanaians in Cambodia.
Through Ghana's High Commission in Malaysia, the Government has assisted 85 Ghanaian nationals to return home between March and May 2026, with plans underway to support an additional 76 Ghanaians desiring to return voluntarily. Ghana remains committed to working closely with Cambodian authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of its citizens residing abroad.
The Cambodian immigration authorities' latest statement aims to quell fears among African residents and their families, emphasizing the necessity of relying on official government sources for information concerning immigration and residency issues.