The Executive Director of African Center for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rasheed Draman has stated that, Hansard can be a tool for investigative journalism in CHEA- AR countries. He made these remarks in his presentation at the 11th Biennial conference of the commonwealth Hansard editors association- African region ( CHEA-AR)
Dr. Rasheed Draman explained that journalist in some jurisdictions rely solely on Hansard reports that provides factual information to hold Ministers and Parliamentarians accountable. He added that Hansards advances legal and rights advocacy citing the Indian example.” Investigative journalists have used data from Hansard to be able to hold Ministers and government officials accountable to what they said he stressed.
He opined that Hansard records serves as fact checking that guides members of parliament in their parliamentary debate. He also underscored the need for Civil society organizations to access data from Hansard records since it provides accurate and reliable data. He urged Hansards in African regions to catch up with the fast speed in the digital space. As CSO’s our works across parliaments in Africa, the challenges that we face , the Hansard gives us a glimpse of what happens in most of our parliaments he stressed. He said the Hansard is more than a transcript, it is a pillar of our democracy emphasizing that Hansard is a tool for democracy.
For his part. Professor Seidu Mahama Alidu highlighted that members of parliament rely on Hansard data to make meaningful contributions on the floor of parliament. He retreated that Hansard plays a important role in reflecting on what happens in Parliament.He said the Hansard is a priceless document for research and history and warned of the ethical implications since the Hansard is a public document.
Additionally the former Director of Hansard, Alhaji Abu Issaka Dahamanis presented on the topic “ The evolution of Hansard reports, A case study of the department of official report Ghana a decade ago where he explained how Hansard has evolved from using shorthand, manual typesetters until recorders as backup and eventually computers replaced all. He said paperwork in Ghana’ s Parliament has reduced due to the internet and the digital space. He encouraged Editors to espouse high ethical standards of integrity professionalism , Neutrality among others . As reporters these principles must guide you to ensure that historical data is stored for future reference he exsplained .
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
