Gov't Repatriates 1,242 Ghanaians from Libya, Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire

Ghana's government has successfully repatriated 1,242 of its citizens from Libya, Cambodia, and Côte d'Ivoire this year, as part of a broader strategy to protect Ghanaians caught in irregular migration, human trafficking, and cyber-fraud schemes.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, detailed the operations at a press conference in Accra. In Libya, 638 Ghanaians were brought home through three humanitarian return operations, supported by the Ghanaian Embassy in Tripoli, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and Libyan authorities. These operations occurred on February 27, June 25, and July 14, 2026.

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The Government remains committed to facilitating additional voluntary returns and supporting sustainable reintegration programmes for returning migrants.

Efforts in Asia focused on Cambodia, where 244 Ghanaians were repatriated. Many of these individuals were victims of sophisticated cyber-enabled recruitment syndicates that lured them with promises of lucrative jobs, only to force them into online fraud. The Ministry worked with Cambodian authorities and the IOM to secure waivers for immigration overstay penalties and facilitate returns.

In Côte d'Ivoire, 61 Ghanaians were rescued, with 45 repatriated, and an additional 315 assisted to return home following enforcement actions. Minister Ablakwa emphasized the government's commitment to combating fraudulent overseas recruitment and human trafficking, citing the QNET scam where victims are lured with job offers and charged up to $5,000. The government continues to support reintegration programs for returning migrants.

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a matter of extreme concern