Frederick Twumasi Effah Calls for Stronger Support for Ghanaians Living in Cambodia
Frederick Twumasi Effah, the Ghanaian community chairman in Cambodia, has highlighted the challenges facing Ghanaians living in the Southeast Asian country and called for stronger institutional support.
Speaking in an interview on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, Frederick shared his journey and experiences abroad. He revealed that he has lived in Cambodia for six years, having previously spent eight years in China. During the COVID-19 period, he returned briefly to Ghana before traveling to Thailand and later settling in Cambodia.
According to him, his international journey began in 2011 when he moved to China, where he taught in schools and completed his first degree. Upon arriving in Cambodia, he realized that there was no organized Ghanaian association, despite the presence of Ghanaians in the country.
“As soon as I arrived and noticed there was no association, I decided to bring a few people together and form a family,” he explained. “That was how the Ghanaian community here started.”
Frederick noted that although the Ghanaian population in Cambodia is relatively small, efforts have been made to unite them. He revealed that their WhatsApp group has about 80 members, though he believes many Ghanaians in Cambodia are yet to join. He added that between 300 and 500 Ghanaians are working in Cambodia under Chinese companies.
He also disclosed that the community suffered a tragic loss last year when a Ghanaian national passed away. According to him, the deceased’s body is still being held in a morgue, highlighting the urgent need for community cooperation and support.
As community chairman, Frederick said he maintains regular communication with diplomatic representatives. He expressed concern that while other foreign nationals often receive swift assistance from their embassies, many Africans, including Ghanaians, have been left stranded during difficult times.
He recalled that when the Ghanaian community was formally organized, the Ghanaian Ambassador to Malaysia visited Cambodia to conduct a passport registration exercise. This initiative helped several Ghanaians who had lived in Cambodia for over 15 years to finally acquire valid passports.
Frederick is now appealing for a Ghanaian amnesty program for undocumented and overstayed nationals in Cambodia. He believes such an initiative would allow affected individuals to regularize their status or safely return to Ghana without penalties.
“Many of the Ghanaians here are young people who need help,” he said. “If the fines are waived, they can at least buy tickets and return home.”
He concluded by urging all Ghanaians living in Cambodia to come together, join the community group, and support one another to strengthen their collective voice.
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