Archie Hesse Retires After Leading Ghana’s Digital Payments Revolution

After nearly two decades of transformative leadership, Mr. Archie Hesse, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Ltd (GhIPSS), has retired, leaving behind a profound legacy in Ghana’s digital finance evolution.

Appointed as CEO in 2012 after joining GhIPSS in its formative years, Mr. Hesse became the architect behind many of Ghana’s most innovative digital payment platforms. Under his tenure, GhIPSS evolved from a modest government-subsidized entity into a financially self-sustaining and award-winning national fintech institution, putting Ghana on the map as a leader in payment systems innovation across Africa.

Building a Digital Finance Powerhouse

When Mr. Hesse took over, GhIPSS was a five-year-old public enterprise seeking direction. Through a decisive restructuring agenda, he introduced cost-efficiency strategies, decentralized operations, and adopted prudent financial discipline that turned the organization around. This transformation was punctuated by the commissioning of GhIPSS’ ultra-modern 10-storey head office in 2023, replacing its single-storey setup, that is, a visible symbol of the institution’s growth under his leadership.

His first major contribution came in 2008 with the rollout of the e-zwich Biometric Smart Card System, which has since become central to government wage and social protection programs, ensuring transparency and accountability in public payments through biometric validation.

Mr. Hesse then led the digitization of Ghana’s cheque clearing process in 2009, slashing processing times from days to hours. This was followed by the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system in 2010, which enabled interbank direct credit and debit transactions, significantly boosting the efficiency of salary and dividend payments nationwide.

Pioneer of Interoperability and Instant Payments

In 2012, GhIPSS under Hesse launched gh-link, Ghana’s domestic card scheme, allowing banks and non-bank financial institutions to issue interoperable payment cards. The move catalyzed the growth of e-business, especially for smaller institutions.

A landmark innovation came in 2015 with the launch of Ghana Instant Pay (GIP), positioning Ghana among the first three African countries to roll out real-time bank account-based payments nationwide.

Then, in 2018, Ghana broke continental ground again with the introduction of Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI), enabling seamless transfers across all telco mobile money wallets, bank accounts, and e-zwich cards. Mr. Hesse coined this integration the “Financial Inclusion Triangle,” a key driver of Ghana’s growing fintech accessibility.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he led the development of GhQR, a contactless payment solution based on QR technology, enabling merchants to receive digital payments without physical contact. And in 2022, he oversaw the launch of GhanaPay, a shared mobile money platform for banks, the first of its kind in Africa.

Diplomatic Leader and Industry Unifier

Mr. Hesse is widely respected for his ability to build bridges among diverse stakeholders, which are banks, telcos, fintechs, regulators, and governments. His leadership remained consistent across multiple political administrations, a testament to his professionalism and non-partisan approach.

“Being allowed to serve across different administrations taught me the value of continuity in leadership,” he said in a parting message. “Public service must always prioritize national interest above politics.”

Accolades and Legacy

Under his guidance, GhIPSS attracted global attention as a model for digital transformation, hosting delegations from other countries seeking to replicate its success. His work earned him numerous awards including:

• Fintech Champion of the Decade

• CEO of the Year (West Africa)

• Most Inspiring Payments Leader in West Africa

As Ghana’s financial landscape becomes increasingly digital, much of the groundwork and infrastructure powering today’s innovation was laid by Mr. Hesse.

He exits with a legacy not only measured by awards and infrastructure, but by the millions of Ghanaians now able to transact securely, instantly, and inclusively.

Mr. Hesse’s name will remain synonymous with Ghana’s fintech revolution. His vision, discipline, and leadership have shaped an industry and a nation.