PRAAD observes International Archives Week celebration
A symposium on cyber archives was held in Accra on Wednesday by the Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD) as part of activities to mark this year’s International Archives Week celebration.
It was held on the theme “Cyber Archives: Empowering Societies through Data and Emerging Technologies”.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Director of Public Records and Archives Administration Department (PRAAD), Mr Gregory Septimus Setse, underscored the relevance of harnessing the power of digital tools to ensure long-term preservation of relevant digital records.
“Archives have always served as the custodians of our history, preserving the records and documents that tell the story of our nation,” he explained.
According to him, the theme resonated deeply with the ever-evolving digital landscape and its impact on collective memory.
He stressed that ensuring the long-term preservation of valuable digital record and making historical and cultural resources more to the public was very important.
The Head of Archives, Parliament, Mr Frank Boris-Hemans, on his part, mentioned that cyber archives were transforming how information was collected, managed, and accessed, adding, “They offer unparalleled opportunities to preserve and share our digital heritage, ensuring that future generations have access to the rich history of our past.”
Explaining, he stated that digital technology had played a role in helping to integrate devices, simplify data and record storage, and also assist with the digitalisation of archival contents.
He indicated that the limitations and challenges inherent in the traditional archival practices, including space, time, managing record volumes, had been significantly reduced with digitalisation.
“In all technology has increased the efficiency of a variety of archival operations,” he added.
In her remarks, Chief Director of the Office Head of Civil Service (OHCS), Mrs Eunice Osae, stated that archivists had the responsibility of ensuring that data was always accessible by those who had legitimate right to access it.
As a central management agency, she said the OHCS had the distinct mandate to provide the requisite leadership, manage the human resources and promote the organisational development of the Civil Service, which included record officers, to enable them respond positively to modern trends in development.
“We are poised to utilise the cyber platforms to improve service delivery for our communities and society.”
“It is very important for archivists to realise that their social responsibility is growing and they have to satisfy the rights of people to access information as well as to protect state security and personal rights of citizens,” she added.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
