The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has sounded a strong warning about the dangers technology poses to the accuracy and integrity of parliamentary records.
Speaking at the opening of the 11th Biennial Conference of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region in Accra on Monday, August 11, 2025, Mr. Bagbin stressed that advancements in technology, while beneficial, also make it easier for misinformation to spread.
“As I speak today, somebody can take my picture as I stand before you, change what I am communicating, and use a different language,” he cautioned.
“With how my mouth is opening and closing, they will match it in such a way that anybody listening will believe this is what the Speaker said at this conference. That is a serious threat.”
The Speaker highlighted that without accurate official records, all efforts in governance could be undermined. He therefore urged Hansard staff across Africa to continuously upgrade their knowledge, skills, and competence to match the demands of the technology-driven era.
The Hansard — the official, verbatim report of parliamentary debates — is managed by a special unit within Parliament. Mr. Bagbin underscored its importance, stressing that preserving its credibility is key to safeguarding parliamentary democracy.
“Whatever we do will come to nothing without accurate official records,” he stated. “The Hansard is not just a record — it is the voice of Parliament, and it must be beyond manipulation.”
