Climax TV
The Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, IEAG, Samson Asaki Awingobit, has received a Certificate of Appreciation at the 2026 International World Rice Conference in recognition of his contributions to the global rice industry.
The award was presented 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.
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Awingobit was recognised for his active participation, knowledge-sharing and efforts to strengthen collaboration among rice producers, farmers, importers and exporters across international markets.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, he called on international investors, particularly Vietnamese businesses, to invest in Ghana’s rice production sector to boost local output and reduce the country’s dependence on imports.
He noted that Ghana imported more than 1.8 million metric tonnes of rice over the period under review, emphasising the need for improved seed quality, higher yields and better packaging to enhance the competitiveness of locally produced rice.
Awingobit also disclosed that government had begun engaging major rice importers to prioritise locally produced rice for distribution, with import permits expected to address any supply shortfalls and prevent food insecurity.
This year’s conference marks Awingobit’s third participation, following previous editions in Manila in 2024 and Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2025.
The IEAG says his continued engagement with international stakeholders is expected to strengthen trade partnerships, expand business opportunities and improve Ghana’s access to global rice markets.
By Eben Agyekum-Boateng, 3Business
