The Acting Chief Justice of Ghana, His Lordship Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, on Monday, July 21, 2025, officially launched the 2024–2025 Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Week in Koforidua, Eastern Region, under the theme: “Building the Pillars of Justice Delivery Through Court-Connected ADR.”
The Weeklong celebration aimed at deepening public awareness and promoting the use of ADR as a key part of Ghana’s justice delivery system, particularly for civil and family-related disputes.
Speaking at the launch, the Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe -Bonnie underscored the critical role ADR plays in enhancing access to justice, especially for the poor and vulnerable who may not afford prolonged litigation.
“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,” Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stated.
He noted that ADR promotes dialogue in a non-adversarial setting and encourages parties to arrive at mutually beneficial outcomes. The approach, he said, not only helps preserve relationships but also offers faster, less expensive alternatives to courtroom litigation.
The Acting Chief Justice further disclosed that 138 courts across Ghana are currently linked to the National ADR Program, with 19 of them located in the Eastern Region.
“ADR is not an afterthought. It should be the first step in resolving disputes. If a judge recommends ADR, it means your case is being taken seriously,” he added.
The Eastern Regional Director of the Legal Aid Commission, Mr. Fidelis Osei Dua, testified the success of ADR in resolving civil cases in the region.
According to him, the Legal Aid Commission received 1,706 civil cases within the past year, and 1,613 were successfully resolved through ADR, translating to a 94.5% resolution rate.
“ADR is no longer a secondary option; it is a key pillar in building an inclusive, efficient, and restorative justice system,” he emphasized.
Mr. Osei Dua reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working with the Judicial Service and traditional authorities to make ADR more accessible across the country.
The ADR Week is observed once every legal term to promote public awareness and mass mediation of eligible court cases. Activities during the week include public education campaigns, stakeholder dialogues, and court-based mediation sessions.
The Judicial Service says the initiative is helping to reduce case backlogs, save time and costs for litigants, and promote peaceful resolution of disputes without the adversarial atmosphere of the courtroom.
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
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
