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About CHEA-AR

A Commonwealth-wide alliance of parliamentary reporters and editors

ABOUT

A United Voice for Parliamentary Reporting Across Africa

The Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region (CHEA-AR) was established in 1999 at a meeting held in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, by heads of official reports from Commonwealth African Parliaments. It operates as a regional branch of CHEA, drawing its membership from parliaments across East, Central, West, and Southern Africa.

CHEA-AR is committed to strengthening parliamentary democracy by promoting high standards in Hansard reporting. Through collaboration, knowledge exchange, and professional development, it ensures that African parliaments receive accurate, impartial, and reliable records of proceedings.

Parliament
Parliament
Parliament
FAQ

Common Questions About CHEA-AR

What is CHEA-AR’s purpose?

CHEA-AR exists to support Hansard teams across the African region in producing accurate, impartial records of parliamentary proceedings, while promoting professional development and regional collaboration.

Membership is open to official parliamentary reporting teams from national and regional legislatures within the African Commonwealth community.

CHEA-AR facilitates training, networking, exchange of personnel, and the sharing of best practices to elevate the standards of Hansard reporting across the continent.

CHEA’s Vision

Honouring Tradition. Advancing the Profession.

As parliamentary reporting adapts to new technologies, CHEA-AR remains grounded in its core values of accuracy and impartiality—principles essential to maintaining a trusted democratic record.

Established in 1999, CHEA-AR connects Hansard teams from across the African continent through four sub-regions. With a continued focus on truth, transparency, and professional excellence, it works to uplift the Hansard profession and support the democratic institutions it serves.

Meet the Executive Committee
Resources

Updates From Across the Continent

Stay informed with the latest updates from CHEA-AR. Our news section keeps you connected with what’s happening in the world of Hansard reporting, from regional developments to training highlights and member achievements.

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Develop Capacities of Hansard Officers

Develop Capacities of Hansard Officers

Access our latest learning materials designed to support ongoing professional development for parliamentary reporters.
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Use Technology To Bridge Gap – Clerk To Parliament

Use Technology To Bridge Gap – Clerk To Parliament

Access our latest learning materials designed to support ongoing professional development for parliamentary reporters.
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Ayariga, Afenyo-Markin Salute Hansard Editors

Ayariga, Afenyo-Markin Salute Hansard Editors

Access our latest learning materials designed to support ongoing professional development for parliamentary reporters.
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Contact

Connect With CHEA-AR

Have questions or want to be a member? Reach out to us. We look forward to hear from you, whether you are a member or you are simply interested in Hansard reporting across Africa.

Ms Hortensiah Nyawira Kamau

Ms. Hortensiah Nyawira Kamau holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication and a BA in Communication from Daystar University, Kenya. With over 20 years’ experience in the Kenyan legislature, she is currently a Principal Hansard Editor in the Senate, having previously served as Senior Hansard Editor, and earlier worked in public relations. She has attended courses in leadership, management, and Hansard production, including Parliamentary Practices and Procedures and the Parliamentary Internship Programme in India. Ms. Kamau also serves as a Trustee of the Parliamentary Service Commission Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme and is a member of its Annual Report Editorial Committee.

Ms Sibongile Khoza

Sibongile Khoza holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Translation from the University of South
Africa, as well as a Master’s degree in Translation from the University of the Witwatersrand.
She worked as an interpreter for the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa from 2006 to
November 2011. Since December 2011, she has served as Chief Editor of Hansard in the
Mpumalanga Legislature, while also contributing to terminology projects for the Department of
Sport, Arts and Culture. Sibongile is currently pursuing a PhD in Translation and Interpreting at
the University of the Witwatersrand.

Mr Adam Iddrisu

Adam Iddrisu, Esq. is Vice President of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region and President of the Official Reporters and Editors Society, Ghana (ORES–Ghana). He joined the Parliamentary Service of Ghana in 2002, earning a Verbatim Reporters Certificate from the Government Secretarial School, and progressed from Reporter II to his current role as Editor of Debates and Head of the Hansard Office.

He holds a First-Class Honours in Management Studies and an MBA from the University of Cape Coast, an LLB from the University of Ghana, a Higher National Diploma from Tamale Technical University, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Administration from GIMPA, a Professional Certificate in Law from the Ghana School of Law, and multiple specialised reporting certifications.

Mr Steve Katawa Banda

Mr Steve Katawa is the President of CHE-AR since 2022. He served as a Principal Editor of
Hansard for Parliament of Malawi, deputising the Chief Editor of Hansard/Head of Hansard
from 2017 to 2021. He is the Chief Editor of Hansard/ Head of Hansard for Parliament of
Malawi From 2021 to date.

Ms Euphraat Hopane

Ms Euphraat Hopane is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Commonwealth Hansard Editors Association – Africa Region since 2017 to date. She joined Parliament of the Republic of South Africa in November 2005 as a Language Practitioner in Hansard reporting. She rose through the ranks from Language Practitioner to Senior Language Practitioner, Control Language Practitioner, and now Unit Manager for Hansard reporting. Ms Hopane holds a BA and BA Hons from the University of Limpopo, Bphil (Hons) from Stellenbosch University, and a Master of Arts in Forensic Linguistics from Pennsylvania Western University. She is also a member of the International Association for Forensic and Legal Linguistics.Get notified about new articles