World Rice Conference Honours Samson Awingobit as He Makes Strong Case for Ghana’s Rice Industry

Samson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), has been presented with a Certificate of Appreciation at the 2026 International World Rice Conference in recognition of his contributions to the global rice industry.

The award was given by the conference organisers, The Rice Trader and the International Commodity Institute, during the three-day event held from October 7 to 9 at Dusit Thani Manila in the Philippines. Awingobit was honoured for his active involvement, sharing of knowledge, and efforts to foster collaboration among rice producers, farmers, importers, and exporters in international markets.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, he urged international investors, particularly Vietnamese businesses, to invest in Ghana’s rice production sector in order to increase local output and reduce the country’s reliance on imports. He pointed out that Ghana imported more than 1.8 million metric tonnes of rice over the period under review, stressing the need for better seed quality, higher yields, and improved packaging to make locally produced rice more competitive.

Awingobit also revealed that the government had started engaging major rice importers to prioritise locally produced rice for distribution, with import permits expected to cover any supply gaps and prevent food insecurity.

This year’s conference marks Awingobit’s third participation, following previous editions held in Manila in 2024 and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2025. The IEAG noted that his continued engagement with international stakeholders is expected to strengthen trade partnerships, expand business opportunities, and improve Ghana’s access to global rice markets.

His recognition at the conference highlights the growing role of Ghanaian stakeholders in international conversations about rice production and trade, while his call for investment underscores the importance of boosting local capacity to meet domestic demand.

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