African Parliaments Push for Tech in Hansard Reporting

The 11th Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association–Africa Region Concludes in Accra

The 11th Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association–Africa Region (CHEA-AR) has concluded in Accra, with a strong emphasis on the need for African Parliaments to invest in technology and modernize their Hansard reporting systems. The conference, which took place from August 11 to August 16, brought together 63 delegates from 10 African countries to discuss best practices and explore emerging technologies in parliamentary reporting.

At the closing ceremony, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, highlighted the importance of equipping Hansard departments with modern tools. He stated, “The digital age presents a profound opportunity to modernize how our Parliament functions and how it is documented. Digitalization must not be viewed as a loss; it is a democratic imperative.” He added, “Whatever we do will come to nothing without accurate official records.”

The conference, themed “Charting the Future of Hansard: Embracing Technology and Innovation for Enhanced Parliamentary Reporting,” aimed to foster collaboration among participants to enhance transparency and accountability in parliamentary processes.

Key Resolutions from the Conference

The communiqué issued by the Media Relations Department of Parliament outlined several key resolutions that were discussed during the event. One of the main points was the need for African Parliaments to invest in technological infrastructure. This includes robust digital infrastructure such as internet connectivity, data centers, and cybersecurity measures to support parliamentary operations effectively.

Another crucial resolution focused on capacity building. It urged Parliaments to continuously develop the skills of their Hansard officers and practitioners, especially in modern technologies. The goal is to enhance the quality and efficiency of parliamentary reporting.

The communiqué also emphasized the importance of collaboration among Parliaments to standardize the production of Hansards and the training of Hansard officers. It called for the effective adoption and adaptation of appropriate technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve the production of Hansards.

Additionally, the conference stressed the need to improve the turnaround time in the preparation, production, and publication of Hansards. This would ensure that Hansard editors are readily available to the public, making the information more accessible and useful.

Role of Hansard Editors

Hansard editors play a vital role in shaping public understanding of parliamentary democracy. The conference underscored the need for them to leverage technology while preserving the continent’s unique parliamentary identity and voice.

The Hansard department in Parliament is responsible for producing a verbatim report of debates in Parliament. This report is considered “the institutional conscience of Parliament” and serves as an official record of parliamentary proceedings.

The five-day CHEA-AR Conference, hosted by the Parliament of Ghana, aimed at sharing knowledge, ideas, and best practices in enhancing parliamentary reporting. It provided a platform for participants to engage in discussions on various topics related to Hansard production and its impact on democratic processes.

Discussions and Presentations

Among the discussions at the conference were explorations of AI-assisted transcription, digital publishing, social media integration, and improved indexing of the Bound Volume of Hansards. Ethics and neutrality in reporting were also central themes.

Notable presenters included Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle; Professor Seidu Mahama Alidu, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, and a Research Fellow at the Centre for Asian Studies, University of Ghana; Dr Rasheed Draman, Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs; and Mr Sammy Obeng, Executive Director, Parliamentary Network Africa. Their presentations covered a range of topics, from the accessibility of Hansard to the reliance of civil society organizations on parliamentary records.

Participants came from Ghana, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, South Africa, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia, and Sierra Leone. The conference served as a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration among Hansard professionals across the continent.