Ghana Intensifies Evacuation of Citizens from Cambodia and South Africa Amid Security Concerns and Misinformation

The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has intensified its efforts to safeguard and repatriate citizens facing distress in Cambodia and South Africa. In Cambodia, the Ministry is finalizing arrangements to evacuate an additional 76 Ghanaian nationals, bringing the total number of citizens repatriated under a recent initiative to 161. This surge in voluntary returns follows a period of heightened anxiety triggered by a viral hoax and a false corporate circular claiming that African residents faced imminent arrest or were mandated to leave the country by May 31, 2026. Both the Cambodian General Department of Immigration and Ghana’s Foreign Ministry have since debunked these reports as entirely untrue, urging the public to rely exclusively on official communication channels.

Simultaneously, the safety of Ghanaians in South Africa has become a critical diplomatic priority due to a resurgence of xenophobic tensions and intimidation. Benjamin Quashie, Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, revealed that African ambassadors took the unprecedented step of boycotting this year’s Africa Day celebrations to protest the ongoing attacks on foreign nationals. The African Security and Development Forum (ASDEF) has condemned the violence, stating that such attacks undermine the unity envisioned by the African Union and tarnish the continent’s global image. ASDEF further criticized the scapegoating of migrants, who contribute significantly to local economies, and called for a return to the spirit of continental solidarity and mutual respect.

Personal accounts from recent returnees highlight the psychological toll of the unrest in South Africa. Dillys Edem, a Ghanaian evacuee who arrived in Accra on May 27, described a life of constant fear where she felt unsafe even performing basic errands. Other returnees have sparked national debate by attributing the tensions to complex social issues within South Africa, including high rates of substance abuse and economic frustration among local youth. As the government continues to monitor these volatile situations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that the safety and welfare of the Ghanaian diaspora remain paramount, with further evacuation efforts planned as necessary to ensure the protection of all citizens abroad.