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Clerk to Parliament tasks African legislatures to harness technology to deepen democracy

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Clerk to the Parliament of Ghana, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, has called on African legislatures to embrace technology as a means of strengthening parliamentary democracy and rebuilding public trust in governance.

The adoption of modern innovative tools, he said, is crucial to enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in the legislative process.

Speaking at the opening of the 11th Biennial Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region (CHEA–AR) Conference in Accra last week, Mr. Djietror observed that parliaments across the globe are embracing technology and urged Africa not to be left behind.

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“We must invest in new technologies to enhance parliamentary reporting to promote parliamentary democracy,” he said.

The conference brought together Hansard editors, parliamentary officers, and experts from across Africa to deliberate on the theme “Embracing Innovation and Technology for Enhanced Parliamentary Reporting in Africa.”

Mr. Djietror revealed that the Parliament of Ghana is already working to integrate artificial intelligence into its recording, transcription, and editing processes. He emphasised that Hansard, as a procedural office, remains a vital reference for parliamentary precedent and decision-making. He also cautioned that democratic governance in sub-Saharan Africa faces growing threats and urged parliaments to use digital tools to bridge the gap with citizens, especially young people.

“We must use technology to bridge the gap between Parliament and the public so that the ordinary citizen will feel part of the decision-making process. In so doing, we can draw them into the governance process and ensure that their voices are heard and their grievances addressed,” he stressed.

The Clerk praised the Rt Hon Speaker of Parliament for his approval and resource support for the event, as well as delegates for their commitment to shaping the future of Hansard reporting.

Welcoming the delegates, the Editor of Debates at the Parliament of Ghana praised the gathering as an opportunity to chart the path forward for the profession in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

This year’s theme, ‘Charting the Future of Hansard: Embracing Technology and Innovation for Enhanced Parliamentary Reporting,’ he said, is both appropriate and timely.

“The Hansard, while rooted in tradition, cannot remain static in a dynamic world. We stand today at the crossroads of legacy and innovation,” he said.

The conference — which Ghana last hosted in 2014 — has drawn 63 delegates from Botswana, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, with Kenya sending the largest delegation.

The Editor underscored the transformative potential of modern tools, including artificial intelligence, real-time transcription systems, and advanced digital publishing platforms.

“New technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to improve speed, accuracy, accessibility, and long-term preservation of the Hansard. Yet, even as we embrace these tools, we must safeguard the editorial principles that define us: originality, verbatim accuracy, editorial neutrality, timeliness, and completeness,” he stated.

He stressed that the conference is not just about technology but also about strengthening the bonds of professional friendship that make parliamentary reporting so rewarding, arguing that innovation must always serve the democratic mission — not replace it.

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