Samson Asaki Awingobit

Samson Asaki Awingobit
Born1979 (age 45–46) [1]
Ashaiman, Ghana[1]
OccupationsBusinessman and politician
Known forChairman of People's National Convention[2][3]

Samson Asaki Awingobit (born in 1979) is a businessman, Ghanaian politician, and is the current National Chairman of the People's National Convention (PNC 2025).[2][4][5] He is the current Executive Secretary for Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG).[4][5][6] Awingobit has been involved in the Ghanaian politics since the year 2008, which he was running for parliamentary and party leadership positions within the PNC.[4][7] In the year 2024, he was elected as the PNC National Chairman. He has been a vocal commentator on economic and trade issues in Ghana.[2][8][9]

Early years

Samson Asaki Awingobit was born in 1979 in the Ashaiman township, Accra, Ghana.[1] He spent his early years living in a small wooden structure with his family in Ashaiman.[1][4] In 2008, still while he served as a parliamentary candidate, he lived in a kiosk with his wife and son.[1] After working for about 12 years, he built his house and moved in with his family.[1]

Early career

With a background in entrepreneurship and trade, Awingobit is also a businessman.[1][4] He serves as the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG), this is a position held in various economic discussions.[10][11] In his role as an Executive Secretary, he advocated for change in interest rates that affects the participation in The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), suggesting a reduction to 11% for Ghanaian industries.[12]

In September 2021, Awingobit agreed to the freeze on freight rates by CMA CGM Group, which in effect, affected business costs for shipping companies at Ghana's ports.[13]

He also commented on the Labianca Company exemption case in 2022, stating that the GRA Commissioner-General at the time was aware of the incident.[14] He commented on the effect of credentials of government officials over the economic downturn.[15]

In 2023, Awingobit pledged resistance to any new taxes in the mid-year budget review, speaking on the effect on businesses as a prediction.[16]

In 2024, he commented on the effect of illegal mining (galamsey) on food security, the environment, and exports.[17] He also commented on the blocking of excavator imports to combat illegal mining.[18] Awingobit commented on the issue of smuggled wheat flour which affects local producers.[6]

Political career

Early political involvement (2008–2020)

Awingobit started his political career as PNC's parliamentary candidate for Ashaiman (Ghana parliament constituency) in 2008.[4][7] According to some regional executives, he did not participated in party-related activities since then.[19]

In March 2020, at the funeral of the Kusasi Queen Mother, Awingobit commented on the government's US$100 million COVID-19 fund allocation which he related to support for manufacturing locally.[20]

In 2020, he ran for the PNC flagbearership, finishing as the runner-up to David Apasera.[4] According to the publication by Modern Ghana on August 9th 2020, The Greater Accra PNC executives did not work in support of his flagbearership.[19]

Flagbearership bids and party leadership (2024)

In January 2024, Awingobit declared his intention to contest the PNC flagbearership again.[21]

In August 2024, he joined the contest for PNC National Chairmanship, with nomination forms picked up on August 14.[4][7] He was elected as the National Chairman on August 31, 2024, with 893 votes.[3]

Following his election, Awingobit urged 60-year-old retirees from the NPP and the NDC to step down for younger leaders.[8]

In December 2024, after PNC's disqualification from elections, he supported John Mahama's post election activities, attributing it to Ghanaians' desire for change.[22] He advised that some individuals be arrested and funds recovered.[22]

In July 2025, as the PNC Chairman, he commented on the inaction by Kusaug MPs following alleged military brutality in Bawku on July 13, demanding justice and stronger representation.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "From sleeping in a wooden structure to vying to be President – The story of Samson Asaki Awingobit - Adomonline.com". 2020-09-11. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  2. ^ a b c "PNC's Asaki Awingobit joins 18-member presidential committee on Accelerated Export Development". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  3. ^ a b "Samson Asaki Awingobit elected as PNC National Chairman - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h "Samson Asaki Awingobit joins race for PNC national chairmanship". GhanaWeb. 2024-08-15. Archived from the original on 2024-12-16. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  5. ^ a b "Samson Asaki Awingobit elected as PNC National Chairman - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  6. ^ a b Times, Ghanaian (2022-08-19). "Clamp down on smuggled wheat flour into Ghana - IAEAG to govt". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  7. ^ a b c "Samson Awingobit to contest PNC National Chairmanship position - Adomonline.com". 2024-08-14. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  8. ^ a b "PNC National Chairman urges 60-year-old retirees of NPP, NDC to step down - Adomonline.com". 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  9. ^ a b ""Shameful Inaction": Samson Asaki Awingobit Demands Justice, Blasts Ayariga-Led MPs for Failing Kusaug People". newsghana.com.gh. 2025-07-16. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  10. ^ "Importers and exporters urge government to address ICUMS challenges". Graphic Online. 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  11. ^ "Government's Labour Export Policy: Ghana Maritime Authority must be supported in achieving objective - Samson Asaki Awingobit - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  12. ^ Yaa, Asaase (2020-08-30). "11% interest for Ghana industries will boost AfCFTA, says representative of exim traders". Asaase Radio. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  13. ^ Times, Ghanaian (2021-09-16). "Importers and Exporters Association welcome freeze on freight rates". Ghanaian Times. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  14. ^ "Commissioner-General of GRA was aware of exemption granted Labianca – Executive Secretary of IEAG - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  15. ^ "'I do not know where they got their PhDs from' - Awingobit fires government officials over economic downturn - MyJoyOnline". Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  16. ^ "Importers, exporters pledge to resist any attempt to introduce new taxes in mid-year budget review". 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  17. ^ "Illegal mining is a threat to food security - Importers and Exporters Association". 15 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Transport Minister must block excavator imports, its a canker in the country – Samson Awingobit - Adomonline.com". 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  19. ^ a b "Flagbearer Hopeful Samson Awingobit Is A Disgrace, Unfit And Not Worthy — Greater Accra PNC". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  20. ^ "Coronavirus: US$100m Is A Misplaced Priority — Asaki Awingobit". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  21. ^ "Samson Asaki Awingobit to contest PNC's flagbearership race again". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
  22. ^ a b "Mahama won because Ghanaians wanted change and were ready for it - Sampson Awingobit". GhanaWeb. 2024-12-19. Archived from the original on 2024-12-26. Retrieved 2025-11-26.
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