Chief Justice urges disputants to seek private ADR services

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance justice delivery in the country, the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has encouraged individuals and organisations to submit their disputes to private Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centres for swift and amicable resolutions.

She explained that resorting to private ADR Centres as a first option in attempting to resolve disputes—before considering court litigation—provides an effective means for parties to achieve speedy, confidential, cost-effective, and amicable settlements.

Additionally, the outcomes of ADR processes, such as mediation settlement agreements, are recognised by the courts as binding.

Speaking in her keynote address at the 2025 joint graduation and matriculation ceremony for the Professional Executive Master of ADR programme at the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute in Accra on Saturday, the Chief Justice highlighted the vital role of ADR in driving investment, promoting peace, and enhancing prosperity.

She explained that the numerous benefits and advantages of ADR, particularly mediation, make it crucial for individuals and businesses to explore private ADR services rather than resorting to litigation.

The Chief Justice particularly emphasised the importance of ADR in resolving land disputes, which often stem from disagreements related to customary law.

“If ADR Centres can help clarify which family, clan, or stool actually owns land in a particular area, the ripple effect on investment, peace, and prosperity will be immeasurable,” she stated.

Chief Justice Torkornoo underscored the need for individuals and institutions to embrace ADR as a more efficient, less adversarial, and cost-effective means of resolving disputes.

She reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to promoting ADR as a critical tool to reduce the backlog of cases in the courts and improve access to justice.

The event, held under the theme “Crafting Peaceful Solutions: Mastering ADR for a Sustainable Future and Job Creation,” marked the graduation of 22 students who had completed the 31-week intensive ADR training and the formal induction of approximately 45 new participants into the PEM.ADR programme.

Chief Justice Torkornoo commended private ADR institutions for their contribution to enhancing justice delivery in the country, praising entities like Gamey and Co ADR Centre and other private ADR service providers for offering professional, efficient, and confidential dispute resolution services.

She expressed her conviction that by embracing ADR at the community, corporate, and national levels, the entire nation could foster a stronger culture of peace, ensuring that justice is not only served but achieved promptly, amicably, inexpensively, and efficiently.

With the increasingly positive results from the Judicial Service’s Court-Connected ADR programme, which has resolved thousands of cases and recorded an average settlement rate of 48% for referred cases nationwide, the Chief Justice assured that the Judicial Service would continue investing in ADR through various initiatives.

She highlighted that the “Judicial Training Institute stands ready to collaborate with the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute to train adjudicators and court-connected mediators, particularly using the PULSE frame.”

Chief Justice Torkornoo congratulated the graduating participants for acquiring critical skills for professional ADR practice, urging them to maintain the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and professionalism in their work.

Mr Austin Gamey, CEO of Gamey and Gamey Group, in his remarks, recommended that the Judicial Service consider referring at least 60% of all civil cases to ADR, to help parties reach efficient resolutions and alleviate the burden on the courts.

He assured that the Institute would continue contributing to the growth of Ghana’s ADR industry by producing skilled ADR professionals.

Over the past two decades, Gamey and Gamey has trained over 650 ADR professionals, many of whom are making remarkable contributions in various sectors, including the Judicial Service, where some serve as court-connected mediators.

Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, commended the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute for its immense contribution to the development of ADR and conflict resolution in Ghana.

He also announced the Chief Imam’s office’s intention to partner with the Institute to train Islamic leaders and Muslim groups in ADR.

Madam Alberta Aku Agbemordzi, the president of the graduating cohort, expressed gratitude for the skills they had acquired to promote peaceful resolution of complex issues. She acknowledged their responsibility to make a significant difference in the field of conflict resolution.

Source: myjoyonline.com