Ghana Hosts 11th Biennial CHEA-AR Conference to Enhance Parliamentary Reporting

Accra: The 11th biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association, Africa Region (CHEA-AR) commenced in Accra with a focus on providing training and professional development opportunities for Hansard editors to develop their digital skills and effectively utilize new tools. The Hansard department in Parliament is responsible for producing a verbatim report of debates, considered 'the institutional conscience of Parliament' and serving as an official record of parliamentary proceedings.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, emphasized the importance of investing in robust digital infrastructure, including internet connectivity, data centers, and cybersecurity measures, to support parliamentary operations. He called for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to facilitate digital transformation and innovation in parliamentary reporting, highlighting that innovation and technology in this field are crucial for enhancing transparency, accounta bility, and efficiency.The five-day CHEA-AR Conference, hosted by the Parliament of Ghana for the first time since 2014, aims to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices in enhancing parliamentary reporting, promoting transparency, and improving accountability among CHEA-AR members. Participants from Ghana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia, and Sierra Leone are in attendance.The conference is themed 'Charting the Future of Hansard: Embracing Innovation and Technology for Enhanced Parliamentary Reporting in Africa.' Key discussions will explore AI-assisted transcription, digital publishing, social media integration, and improved indexing of the Bound Volume of Hansards, alongside ongoing ethics and neutrality in reporting. Notable presenters include Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Professor Seidu Mahama Alidu, Dr. Rasheed Draman, and Mr. Sammy Obeng, covering topics from accessibility of Hansard to CSOs' reliance on parliamentary records.Alhaji Adam Iddrisu , the Editor of Debate, Hansard Office, Parliament of Ghana, welcomed the 63 delegates, highlighting the theme's commitment to balancing cutting-edge tools with core editorial standards. He emphasized that the conference provides a platform for sharing best practices, strengthening professional networks, and advancing parliamentary transparency through improved reporting.Mr. Steve Katawa Banda, President of CHEA-AR and Head of Hansard Department in the Malawi Parliament, noted the conference's significance in promoting collaboration among African parliaments. He expressed hope that harnessing innovation and technology would enhance parliamentary reporting and promote transparency and accountability.Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djieteor, the Clerk to Ghana's Parliament, urged delegates to engage in meaningful discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. He expressed confidence that the diverse perspectives and expertise represented would foster innovation and drive progress.Mr. Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader, and Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, both emphasized the importance of parliamentary records, specifically the Hansard, in capturing national events, documenting legislative processes, and preserving records for future generations. Delegates expressed optimism about developing a forward-looking roadmap for Hansard reporting that serves democracy across the region.