African Parliaments Urged to Embrace Technology in Hansard Reporting

Accra: The 11th Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association-Africa Region (CHEA-AR) has concluded in Accra, urging African Parliaments to invest in technology and modernize their Hansard reporting systems. Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, emphasized the importance of equipping Hansard departments with modern tools, noting that digitalization is a democratic imperative that enhances the functionality and documentation of Parliament.According to Ghana News Agency, the conference, themed 'Charting the Future of Hansard: Embracing Technology and Innovation for Enhanced Parliamentary Reporting,' gathered 63 delegates from 10 African countries. The event focused on sharing best practices and exploring emerging technologies in Hansard reporting. A communiqué issued by the Media Relations Department of Parliament emphasized the need for countries to invest in robust digital infrastructure, including internet connectivity and cybersecurity measures, to support parliam entary operations.The communiqué also highlighted the importance of capacity building, urging Parliaments to continuously develop the skills of their Hansard officers, particularly in modern technologies. It called for standardization in the production of Hansards and training of officers and recommended that Parliaments adopt appropriate technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance Hansard production.The conference underscored the crucial role of Hansard editors in shaping public understanding of parliamentary democracy. It stressed the need for editors to leverage technology while preserving the continent's unique parliamentary identity.The conference, which opened on August 11, was hosted by the Parliament of Ghana and aimed at sharing knowledge, ideas, and best practices in enhancing parliamentary reporting, promoting transparency, and improving accountability among CHEA-AR members. Participants included representatives from Ghana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Afri ca, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia, and Sierra Leone.Discussions at the conference covered topics such as AI-assisted transcription, digital publishing, social media integration, and improved indexing of the Bound Volume of Hansards. Ethics and neutrality in reporting were also explored. Notable presenters included Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Professor Seidu Mahama Alidu, Dr. Rasheed Draman, and Mr. Sammy Obeng, who covered topics ranging from accessibility of Hansard to the reliance of CSOs on parliamentary records.