The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has appealed to foreign investors to establish rice milling factories in the country to help absorb the growing surplus of paddy rice produced by local farmers.
According to the Association, this initiative would not only prevent post-harvest losses but also create sustainable value chains for Ghana’s rice industry by ensuring that locally produced rice is processed and consumed domestically.
Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit, made the call during the 2025 World Rice Conference held in Cambodia. He emphasized that investing in local rice milling infrastructure would strengthen Ghana’s agricultural sector and reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported rice.
“The government is encouraging investors to establish mills in Ghana, purchase paddy rice from our outgrowers, and support smallholder farmers to increase production. This will enable us to process healthy, high-quality grains for both local consumption and export,” Mr. Awingobit stated.
He added that Ghana remains a strategic destination for investment within the sub-region, highlighting that the country spends between GH¢300 million and GH¢400 million annually on rice imports. “Ghana is a gateway to Africa, and attention is now on us because of the huge potential in our rice market,” he noted.
Mr. Awingobit further explained that developing local rice mills would create jobs, enhance food security, and align with government efforts to boost agricultural industrialization through public-private partnerships.
The World Rice Conference, organized annually by The Rice Trader in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), brings together global industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers to discuss innovations and sustainable practices in rice production.
Ghana’s participation in the 2025 edition aimed to explore strategic collaborations and learn from international best practices to enhance domestic rice production and processing capacity while contributing to global food security.
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