The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) is repositioning itself as a key advocate for agricultural transformation, as the country intensifies efforts to become a competitive force in the global rice industry.
At the recently concluded 2025 World Rice Conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, IEAG Executive Secretary Mr. Samson Asaki Awingobit used Ghana’s presence on the international stage to highlight the country’s long-term ambition to reduce dependence on imported rice and scale up its own production capacity.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Awingobit said the association is increasingly shifting its focus from purely trade facilitation toward championing local value chain development—an approach he believes is critical to strengthening Ghana’s position in global rice markets.
He stressed that Ghana’s vast arable lands, favourable climate, and growing technical expertise make the country well-positioned to develop a strong export-driven rice industry. However, he said this vision can only materialise if investors, researchers, and development partners work directly with Ghanaian producers to boost yields, improve processing, and enhance competitiveness.
According to Mr. Awingobit, his participation in the global conference aligns with IEAG’s renewed agenda of supporting policies that reduce Ghana’s structural dependence on imports while enabling local producers to compete internationally.
He noted that the association has increasingly been involved in capacity-building initiatives, reforms to ease trade bottlenecks, and advocacy for stronger collaboration between government agencies and private sector players—all aimed at modernising Ghana’s agricultural export base.
This year’s World Rice Conference, held on the theme “Harvesting the Future: Uniting Science, Trade and Innovation”, brought together scientists, industry leaders, policymakers, and traders from around the world to discuss emerging technologies and market trends shaping the future of rice production.
For Ghana, the conference offered a timely opportunity to engage potential partners, attract investment, and signal its intention to transition from a major rice importer to an active participant in the global rice value chain.
As global demand for rice continues to rise, IEAG believes Ghana must seize the moment—by strengthening local production systems and forging strategic partnerships that ensure a sustainable and competitive future for the nation’s rice industry.
