President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Raymond Archer, a distinguished investigative journalist and intelligence specialist, as the Acting Deputy Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
This appointment aligns with the President’s “Operation Recover All Loot” (ORAL) initiative, aimed at reclaiming state assets acquired through corrupt means.
A Trailblazer in Investigative Journalism
Raymond Archer’s career in journalism is marked by groundbreaking investigations that exposed high-level corruption and financial malfeasance. As the founder and editor of The Enquirer newspaper and former editor of The Ghanaian Chronicle, Archer played a pivotal role in holding power to account. His exceptional work earned him numerous accolades, including:
Global Gold Medal for Excellence in Journalism from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in 2005, making him the first African and youngest-ever recipient at age 29.
Lorenzo Natali Prize for Excellence in Journalism in Africa.
Best West African Journalist Award from the West African Journalism Association (WAJA).
Best Investigative Journalist in Ghana for 2003/2004 from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Transition to Intelligence and Security
Building on his journalistic achievements, Archer transitioned into the fields of national security, intelligence, and risk consulting. Over the past 15 years, he has worked across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, providing consultancy services to international firms such as KPMG (Europe), Kroll & Associates (UK), and Risk Analysis UK.
He is a Certified Counter Fraud Specialist and owns cybersecurity firms with partnerships with top Israeli cybersecurity companies. His expertise extends to defense intelligence and due diligence investigations in the energy sector.
Academic and Professional Credentials
Archer’s academic background is equally impressive. He holds postgraduate degrees and certifications in security, intelligence, and innovation from Leicester University, York St John’s University, and Portsmouth University in the UK.
Additionally, he possesses diplomas in national security and intelligence applications from the Galilee International Management Institute in Israel. Currently, he is pursuing further studies in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Texas, McCombs Business School, USA, specializing in Generative AI.
Role in EOCO and the ORAL Initiative
Archer’s association with EOCO dates back 14 years when he served as a lead United Nations consultant in drafting the Economic and Organised Crime Act (2010, Act 804), the law that formalized EOCO.
Since 2019, he has led a covert investigative team known as the Opponent’s Research Group (ORG), specializing in uncovering financial misconduct and organized crime. His return to EOCO in a leadership role is expected to enhance its investigative capabilities.
As a member of the ORAL Committee, Archer emphasized the importance of thoroughly examining all 2,417 complaints of suspected corruption submitted to President Mahama. He stated, “All the cases are of priority. They are all very compelling cases. Priority will depend on low-hanging fruits… but as far as I am concerned, each one of the cases is important to look at.”
A Strategic Appointment
Archer’s appointment is widely regarded as a strategic move to strengthen EOCO’s fight against financial crimes. His extensive experience in investigations, intelligence, and cybersecurity positions him as a formidable force in Ghana’s ongoing battle against corruption.
The President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, lauded Archer’s appointment, highlighting his dedication and leadership in the field.
With Archer at the helm, EOCO is poised to enhance its operational effectiveness, particularly in tackling high-profile corruption cases and financial crimes, thereby reinforcing public trust in Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions
