In a quest to help Ghanaians to secure an amicable resolution of disputes, the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, has charged individuals and organisations to submit their disputes to private Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centres for effective settlement.

She stated that resorting to private ADR Centres as a first option in attempting to resolve disputes before considering court litigation was an appropriate measure for parties to gain expeditious, confidential, inexpensive and amicable settlements, which were recognised by the courts.

Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 graduation and matriculation ceremony for the Professional Executive Master of ADR programme of the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute in Accra last Saturday, the Chief Justice stressed the pivotal role of ADR in driving investment, promoting peace and enhancing prosperity.

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

The event, held on 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, as well as the formal induction of about 45 new participants into the PEM.ADR programme.

Benefits

Justice Torkornoo explained that the high benefits and advantages of ADR mechanisms, especially mediation, made it imperative for individuals and businesses to explore private ADR services, instead of resorting to court litigation.  

The Chief Justice particularly emphasised the importance of ADR in addressing land disputes, which often stemmed from customary law disagreements.

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

Justice Torkornoo reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to promoting ADR as a critical tool in reducing the backlog of cases in the courts and enhancing access to justice, lauding the contribution of private ADR institutions in enhancing justice delivery in the country.

“Institutions such as the Gamey and Co ADR Centre and other private ADR service providers that offer professional, efficient and confidential dispute resolution services are much commended for setting up these forums for deploying ADR mechanisms that can save time and costs, and preserve relationships.

“By embracing ADR at the community, corporate and national levels, the entire nation will move towards a stronger culture of peace and ensure that justice is not only served but also achieved timeously, amicably, inexpensively and efficiently,” she said.

The Chief Justice gave an assurance that the Judicial Service would continue to invest in ADR through various interventions.

For instance, she noted that the “Judicial Training Institute stands ready to collaborate with the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute to train adjudicators and court-connected mediators, especially using the PULSE frame.”

Refer civil cases to ADR

In his remarks, the CEO of Gamey and Gamey Group, Austin Gamey, recommended that the Judicial Service considered referring at least 60 per cent of all civil cases to ADR to help parties secure efficient resolution of disputes and to reduce the burden on the courts.

He gave an assurance that the institute would continue to contribute to the growth of Ghana’s ADR industry by training skilled ADR professionals to provide quality services, explaining that in over two decades, Gamey and Gamey has produced over 650 ADR professionals in Ghana and other West Africa countries, many of whom were making remarkable contributions in various sectors, including the Judicial Service, where some served as court-connected mediators.

The Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, commended the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute for its immense contribution to ADR development and conflict resolution in Ghana over the years and announced the intention of the Chief Imam’s Office to partner the institute to train Islamic leaders and Muslim groups in ADR.

The President of the graduating cohort, Alberta Aku Agbemordzi, expressed appreciation for the skills they had been empowered with to promote peaceful resolution of the most complex issues, adding that they acknowledged the responsibility to make a difference in the field of conflict resolution.