When Clara Arthur steps into her new office at the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS) on September 1, 2025, it will feel like a homecoming.
She has just been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of GhIPSS, and her appointment takes effect from September.
She worked here before, helped launch some of the country’s most important payment systems, and now, she is returning as CEO, to lead the organisation into the next stage of its journey.
“I am honoured to step into this role at this pivotal time,” Clara said in a statement. “It is more of a return for me, and I look forward to working alongside this talented team to continue the legacy of GhIPSS.”
Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System Limited (GhIPSS) is a subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana and the payment infrastructure provider in Ghana. Clara will be replacing Archie Hesse, who had served as CEO for over 17 years.
A Career Built on Access and Innovation
Clara is not just stepping into this role as an experienced banker or technologist. She brings more than two decades of work across banking, fintech, and financial infrastructure, to make financial services easier for Ghanaians.
Her journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in Law and History from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, followed by an MSc in Finance and Administration from Thames Valley University.
Over the years, she’s held roles at the heart of digital banking innovations. She’s worked at Ecobank, and Fidelity Bank Ghana, where she was Head of E-Banking, helping customers move beyond traditional banking into secure digital services.
Global Experience, Local Impact
Clara’s expertise also took her to the global stage. She worked as a Digital Financial Services Consultant for the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) and as a Remittance Expert for the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
In these roles, she advised governments, regulators, and institutions on how to build stronger market infrastructure, improve licensing frameworks, and use remittances as a tool for financial inclusion.
Her work involved helping countries design systems that could move money securely across borders, connect rural communities to banking services, and ensure that financial innovations reached people at every level of society.
Her First GhIPSS Chapter
Clara first joined GhIPSS in 2015 as General Manager for Projects and Business Development. It was a time when Ghana’s payment systems were growing fast but still had gaps.
Clara led the rollout of initiatives that would change the way people and businesses move money in Ghana:
- GhIPSS Instant Pay (GIP) – allowing money to be sent instantly between banks.
- gh-link EMV Card Scheme – introducing a secure, locally-issued card system.
- Mobile Money Interoperability – enabling people to send money between different mobile networks and banks with ease.
According to experts, these projects didn’t just make payments faster. They made it possible for more people, even in remote areas to connect to the formal financial system.
Now, as CEO, Clara will be playing a central role in Ghana’s move toward a fully cash-light economy. She will be responsible for making sure these systems work for everyone, from large corporations to small rural merchants.
“Together, we will continue to drive meaningful impact, embrace new opportunities, and shape a future in the payments industry that we can all be proud of,” Clara said.
A Role Model for the Future
Clara’s work has not gone unnoticed. She was named among the Top 100 Women in Fintech in Africa, and she continues to speak at industry events on how to build inclusive and secure payment systems.
Analysts say her appointment signals more than just a leadership change, it marks a milestone for representation in Ghana’s financial sector.
For young women in Ghana dreaming of a career in finance or technology, experts say Clara’s journey is proof that it’s possible to rise to the top and make a difference.
According to industry leaders, her deep expertise in fintech strategy, digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, and product development has made her one of the most respected figures in Ghana’s financial ecosystem.
