Acting Chief Justice of Ghana, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has made a strong call for all stakeholders in Justice system; including the general public, court staff, registrar and members of the bar; to embrace court-connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as an essential component of Justice delivery process.
Speaking at the official launch of the third term Court-Connected ADR Week for 2024/2025 in Koforidua, Eastern Region, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie underscored the transformative impact of ADR on access to Justice particularly for the less privileged and the vulnerable in society.
“I also urge court staff, registrars and the bar to embrace Court-Connected ADR as part of the justice delivery process, not as an afterthought, but a viable and often preferable first step.” He said.
This year’s ADR week is under the theme, “Building the Pillars of Justice Delivery Through Alternative Dispute Resolution.”
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stressed that while Ghana’s traditional court system has served the nation well, it often suffers delays, high costs, and adversarial tensions.
Court-Connected ADR, however, offers tools such as mediation, arbitration, negotiation, and conciliation to resolve disputes more efficiently, preserving relationships and reducing the bitterness often associated with litigation.
He said, “Justice lies at the heart of every society. While the traditional court system has served Ghana well, it is often costly and time-consuming. Court-Connected ADR provides efficient tools, mediation, arbitration, negotiation, and conciliation that help resolve disputes in a more humane and constructive manner”.
He added that ADR not only speeds up resolution but makes justice more inclusive and accessible, especially for people who lack legal representation or financial resources.
The Acting Chief Justice reiterated that, mediated settlements can also be adopted by the courts as consent judgments, giving them legal enforceability.
He explained that so far, 138 courts are connected to the National ADR Program, with 19 of them located in the Eastern Region, a reflection of the growing significance of the program across the country.
At the event, Eastern Regional Director of the Legal Aid Commission, Mr. Fedelis Osei Dua, revealed that the Commission received 1,706 civil cases and successfully resolved 1,613 through ADR, representing a success rate of 94.5%.
He attributed this to the commitment of ADR mediators and the growing confidence of the public in alternative mechanisms of dispute resolution.
The Eastern Regional State Attorney, Mrs. Emily Addo-Kyereh, said Court-Connected ADR when implemented to its fullest can be the life line of adjudication in Ghana.
“There is a public perception that ADR is reserved for civil cases. This misappreciation has led to an unwillingness by victims and complainants to accept or even open their minds to effective and conclusive settlement through ADR. We owe it to the altar of justice to dissuade Court users and sensitize them on this brimming avenue.”
She stressed that Ghana should leverage ADR to enhance greater access to justice, promote harmony amongst the court users and maintain our special Ghanaian social fabric”.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
