Accra: Members of Parliament have urged the government to adequately resource the Public Records and Archives Department (PRAD) to safeguard and modernise the country's public records. The appeal was made during a debate in Parliament to approve GHS97 million for the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
According to Ghana News Agency, legislators expressed concern that PRAD has suffered years of neglect by successive governments, despite its critical role in preserving state documents. Mr Patrick Yaw Boamah, MP for Okaikwei Central, highlighted the importance of the Department by citing an instance when Ghana relied on records from PRAD to defend its position during the maritime boundary dispute with C´te d'Ivoire. He indicated that the case demonstrated the strategic value of well-preserved national records.
Other MPs called on the government to prioritise investment in modern archival systems, including digitisation, to ensure that vital records are not only preserved but also easily accessible for governance, research, and legal purposes. They noted that strengthening PRAD would enhance transparency, accountability, and institutional memory within the public service.