Former investigative journalist formally takes over leadership of Ghana’s anti-economic crime agency after serving in an acting capacity for more than a year.

Raymond Archer has been confirmed as the substantive Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), bringing his acting leadership of the state investigative agency to a formal conclusion.

The confirmation was announced on Thursday, October 29, 2026, by EOCO Board Chairman, Daniel Domelevo, who disclosed that Mr Archer officially assumed the substantive position on October 27, 2026.

Mr Archer had been leading the institution in an acting capacity since August 2025, when he was appointed to replace former Executive Director Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah.

His confirmation formalises his leadership of an institution mandated to investigate and prosecute economic and organised crime, including money laundering, human trafficking and other offences that threaten Ghana’s financial and economic interests.

From investigative journalism to public service

Before joining EOCO, Mr Archer built a career in investigative journalism, where he was associated with reporting on alleged corruption, financial irregularities and accountability issues.

His transition from journalism to public service brought him into the leadership of one of Ghana’s key law enforcement institutions.

During his time as acting Executive Director, EOCO pursued a number of high-profile investigations, attracting public attention and debate over the agency’s enforcement approach.

His leadership has received both commendation and criticism, with supporters pointing to the agency’s investigative activities while some critics have raised concerns about aspects of its operations.

Expectations for EOCO

As substantive Executive Director, Mr Archer is expected to provide leadership and strategic direction for the agency as it continues efforts to tackle economic and organised crime.

EOCO’s responsibilities include investigating suspected financial crimes, tracing proceeds of crime and pursuing prosecutions in accordance with the law.

The agency also plays a role in protecting public resources and safeguarding confidence in Ghana’s financial and economic systems.

His confirmation comes at a time when public attention remains focused on the handling of major investigations and the need for accountability in the public and private sectors.

The substantive appointment gives Mr Archer formal leadership of the institution, with expectations that EOCO will continue carrying out its mandate while ensuring that investigations and enforcement actions respect due process and the rights of persons under investigation.

Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has also congratulated Mr Archer on his confirmation, describing him as a brother in a social media post.

NPP flagbearer says planned checks should be scrapped following concerns from vehicle dealers over additional costs, port delays and challenges facing the automobile trade.

New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has backed calls for the abolition of a proposed pre-shipment inspection regime for imported vehicles, following a meeting with the leadership of the Vehicles and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG).

The engagement, held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, formed part of Dr Bawumia’s stakeholder consultations aimed at understanding the challenges confronting businesses and identifying possible policy interventions.

In a Facebook post after the meeting, the former Vice President said both sides had agreed that the proposed inspection requirement should be abolished.

The discussions covered several concerns affecting vehicle dealers, including high import duties, delays in clearing vehicles at Ghana’s ports, access to credit and competition from foreign retailers.

Concerns over inspection costs

The proposed inspection regime was being developed by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) under its Pre-Export Verification of Conformity programme.

The arrangement was intended to require used vehicles to undergo inspection in their countries of origin before shipment to Ghana to ensure they met the country’s applicable safety and technical standards.

However, the proposal attracted criticism from industry players who were concerned that the additional requirements and associated fees could increase the cost of importing vehicles.

The proposed inspection charges were reported to range from US$200 to US$300 per vehicle, depending on the country of origin.

The GSA suspended implementation of the regime in October 2026 following concerns about its introduction, indicating that a new implementation date would be communicated.

Dealers seek support and fair competition

Beyond the inspection proposal, VADUG raised concerns about the high cost of importing vehicles and delays in clearing them at the ports.

Access to financing, particularly through the Ghana Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank), also featured in the discussions, with dealers seeking improved credit opportunities to support their businesses.

The union further called for stronger enforcement of existing laws intended to protect Ghanaian retailers from what it considers unfair competition from foreign businesses.

Dr Bawumia said the discussions had been productive and that representatives of both sides would continue engaging to develop specific policy proposals to address the concerns raised.

The consultations form part of his broader engagement with industry groups as he seeks views on policies to support businesses and strengthen Ghana’s private sector.

The proposed abolition of the inspection regime is, however, a position reached during the engagement between Dr Bawumia and VADUG; it does not amount to a formal government decision to cancel the policy. The GSA’s suspension remains the latest reported administrative position on its implementation.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor calls for a business-friendly environment that allows entrepreneurs to prosper, attracts investment and generates resources for quality education, healthcare and social protection.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has urged Ghana’s leaders to avoid excessive taxation that discourages entrepreneurship, arguing that individuals should be allowed to create wealth and retain their legitimately earned fortunes while paying reasonable taxes.

He said Ghana’s long-term prosperity depended on leadership that empowers citizens to use their talents and resources to establish businesses, generate wealth and contribute to national development.

Mr Kufuor made the remarks during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, while discussing his vision for Ghana over the next 50 years and the future he hopes young people will inherit.

“We shouldn’t stifle initiative with excessive taxation,” the former President said, stressing the importance of creating conditions that allow individuals and businesses to thrive.

He argued that people who legitimately accumulate wealth should be permitted to enjoy the rewards of their efforts, provided they fulfil their tax obligations.

“Let the people become millionaires, and they legitimately earn it; why not let them keep their millions, paying their reasonable taxes?” he asked.

Private sector as an engine of growth

Mr Kufuor said the state should establish a supportive framework for businesses to grow rather than introduce policies that discourage enterprise and investment.

He expressed confidence that allowing the private sector to mature would help attract investment from both domestic and international sources, creating opportunities for economic expansion.

“We tend to be open-minded and liberal, but that’s not how we’ve lived so far,” he observed, suggesting that Ghana needed to translate its potential and openness into practical policies that empower citizens.

The former President also pointed to Ghana’s natural resources, including gold, lithium, bauxite and manganese, as important foundations for economic prosperity.

However, he stressed that natural resources alone would not guarantee development without effective leadership and policies that enable citizens to turn their skills and opportunities into wealth.

Wealth creation must benefit society

While advocating greater freedom for entrepreneurs, Mr Kufuor emphasised that wealth creation should go hand in hand with social protection and inclusive governance.

He said the resources generated by a thriving economy should help the government provide quality education, accessible healthcare and support for vulnerable people.

“We must ensure that all the children of this land are given some of the finest education you can get anywhere,” he said.

He also called for a social safety net to protect persons with disabilities and unemployed people from extreme poverty.

Mr Kufuor’s vision combines private-sector growth with public investment in essential services, arguing that good leadership must create opportunities for individuals to prosper while ensuring that national wealth improves the living conditions of Ghanaians.

His comments add to the ongoing national debate about taxation, business growth, investment and the government’s role in creating an environment conducive to wealth creation.

Canada pledges technical assistance for the proposed bank as Ghana and Ottawa deepen cooperation in women’s economic empowerment, youth skills development and sustainable mining.

Ghana has secured Canada’s commitment to provide technical support towards the establishment of the country’s proposed Women’s Development Bank, a government initiative expected to improve women’s access to finance and expand their economic opportunities.

The announcement was made by Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa following discussions with Canada’s Secretary of State for International Development, Randeep Sarai.

In a statement outlining the outcomes of the engagement, Mr Ablakwa said Canada would offer technical assistance for the establishment of the bank, which is intended to support women’s participation in business and other economic activities.

The commitment forms part of a broader package of agreements aimed at strengthening development cooperation between Ghana and Canada.

Expanding opportunities for women

The proposed Women’s Development Bank is expected to help address challenges women face in accessing affordable financing to establish, expand and sustain businesses.

Women entrepreneurs, particularly those operating small businesses in trade, agriculture, technology and the informal economy, often require accessible financial services to grow their enterprises and create employment.

The bank is intended to provide an institutional mechanism for supporting women’s economic empowerment. However, details concerning its operational structure, funding arrangements, eligibility criteria and commencement date were not provided in the announcement.

Canada’s technical support is expected to contribute to efforts to establish the institution, although the precise scope of the assistance has yet to be outlined publicly.

Ghana and Canada strengthen youth skills partnership

Beyond the Women’s Development Bank, the two countries have agreed to develop a partnership focused on labour mobility and skills development for young people.

According to Mr Ablakwa, the proposed collaboration will cover digital literacy, standardised certification for international employment opportunities, energy transition and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

The initiative is intended to equip young Ghanaians with relevant skills and qualifications to improve their prospects in the domestic and international labour markets.

Cooperation on security and the environment

Ghana and Canada also agreed to strengthen cooperation with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre to support regional stability and counterterrorism efforts.

The two countries further committed to working together on environmental protection and land reclamation, particularly in promoting legal and sustainable mining practices.

They are also expected to coordinate a broader Africa-Canada dialogue in 2027 to discuss shared development priorities, including trade, industrialisation, railway development and value addition.

The latest agreements signal an effort by Ghana and Canada to expand their partnership beyond traditional diplomacy, with a focus on economic opportunity, skills development, environmental sustainability and institutional support.

The effectiveness of the commitments will ultimately depend on their implementation, including clear timelines, adequate resources and measurable benefits for the intended beneficiaries.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has suffered one of the biggest single-day losses in stock market history after investors reacted negatively to its latest financial results and growing concerns about the financial risks of artificial intelligence investments.

Alphabet’s shares fell approximately 12.6% on Thursday, October 29, wiping out nearly $500 billion in market value. The decline followed the company’s latest quarterly earnings announcement, which raised questions about the sustainability of its growth and the impact of AI on its traditional search advertising business.

Although Alphabet reported revenue of approximately $127.6 billion, representing a 25% increase compared with the same period last year, its profits declined by 25%. Investors were particularly concerned about slower growth in search advertising and the enormous costs associated with developing and expanding AI infrastructure.

One major concern is the growing use of AI-generated summaries and conversational search tools. These features provide users with direct answers rather than requiring them to visit multiple websites, potentially reducing opportunities for Google to display advertisements alongside traditional search results.

Google executives have acknowledged that AI-powered search experiences are changing advertising performance. The company has indicated that it is exploring ways to introduce more advertising opportunities into its AI-powered services.

Meanwhile, Alphabet continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence as competition intensifies across the technology industry. Its Google Cloud division recorded strong growth, with quarterly revenue reaching approximately $30.7 billion, demonstrating that the company’s AI and cloud businesses continue to attract demand.

However, investors are increasingly demanding evidence that these massive investments will generate sustainable profits. Concerns over rising expenditure and weaker-than-expected financial performance have also placed pressure on other major technology companies, including Microsoft and Amazon.

The latest market reaction highlights a growing challenge for major technology firms: balancing the enormous costs of developing artificial intelligence with the need to protect existing revenue streams.

For Alphabet, the question is no longer simply whether it can compete in the AI race, but whether it can maintain its dominance in online search while turning its growing AI investments into long-term financial returns.