C’wealth Hansard Editors Association elects president
The Editor of Debates of Ghana’s Parliament, Alhaji Abu Dahamani Issaka, has been elected President of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association, Africa Region (CHEA, AR).
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For the next two years, Alhaji Issaka, who was elected at the sixth biennial conference of the CHEA, AR which is currently ongoing in Accra, would steer the affairs of the association, and institute measures to encourage the professional development of its members.
He takes over from Mr Ackim Musonda, Chief Editor of the Hansard of the National Assembly of Zambia.
In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Issaka said while it was important to focus on the primary purpose of upholding a speedy production of the most accurate, unbiased and invaluable record of proceedings of Africa’s Commonwealth Parliaments, there was also the need to continue to monitor the environment.
“We must recognise the changing influences in procedure and technology especially, so that we can respond appropriately,” he said.
“Today, the speed in the evolution of technology such as instant generation, recording and transmission of information via various social media and the challenge they pose in terms of satisfying the quest for immediacy by our audiences, for example, require that members of the association constantly engage and network in order to be up to speed with knowledge and best practices in our operations,” he added.
He noted that the common challenges facing most of the members of the CHEA, which are mainly human resource and technology-based, which sometimes affected the schedule of printed versions of the Hansard either daily or in bound volumes, might not be solved overnight but were not insurmountable.
He said together with his team of executives who are to be elected soon, he would find new ways to encourage networking, professional development, sharing of ideas, communication, collaboration and advancement of the profession.
“The knowledge we stand to gain through that collaboration will help us maintain and also advance the traditional hallmarks of accuracy and impartiality in producing the Hansard and offering a day-to-day account of proceedings reliably,” he stated.
Mr Musonda said the Hansard staff rendered a very essential service.
“To service our Parliaments better, we need the support of our clerks and honourable speakers,” he added.
