Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin has praised Hansard officers as vital partners in safeguarding Africa’s parliamentary democracy, urging legislatures across the continent to embrace technology and digitalisation to make parliamentary records more accessible and impactful.
Speaking at the opening of the 11th Biennial Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region (CHEA–AR) Conference in Accra, Mr. Afenyo-Markin described the Hansard as an essential tool for decision-making, legal interpretation, academic research, and civil society engagement.
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“For us as parliamentarians, the Hansard is our ultimate reference — the record we turn to when we must defend what we did or didn’t say. I extend heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated men and women of the Hansard Office for being steadfast partners in parliamentary work,” he said.
Recalling his early days in Parliament, the Minority Leader noted that Hansard was the first document he encountered and has remained his most trusted source for debates and legislative history.
Addressing the conference theme, “Charting the Future of Hansard: Embracing Innovation and Technology for Enhanced Parliamentary Reporting in Africa,” the Minority leader stressed that digitalising parliamentary records is now a non-negotiable priority in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Technology has caught up with us. As leaders, we cannot afford to lag,” he emphasised, calling on African parliaments to leverage innovation for greater transparency and efficiency.
He commended the organisers for creating a platform where Hansard professionals from across the continent can share experiences and tackle emerging challenges in the profession.
The four-day conference, held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, has brought together Hansard editors, parliamentary officers, and delegates from across Africa to develop strategies for enhancing the accuracy, accessibility, and technological readiness of parliamentary reporting.