ADR Centre, Judicial Service boost dispute resolution access

Ghana's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre and Judicial Service have agreed to deepen their collaboration. This partnership aims to improve access to justice and enhance the efficiency of dispute resolution across the country. The two institutions formalised this commitment during a high-level engagement in Accra this week.

This strengthened cooperation will focus on regulating ADR services, building capacity for practitioners, and delivering high-quality dispute resolution. The expected outcome is faster, more accessible, and more effective resolution of disputes for Ghanaian citizens. This initiative seeks to alleviate the pressure on Ghana's traditional court system.

This collaboration fits into Ghana's broader commitment to legal reform and economic stability. Efficient dispute resolution is crucial for attracting investments and fostering a predictable business environment. Data from the Court-Connected ADR (CCADR) Programme, operating for two decades, shows its success in reducing case backlogs. This new partnership aims to build on those gains and further integrate ADR into the justice system.

Dr. Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi, Executive Secretary of the ADR Centre, highlighted the Centre's mandate to regulate and elevate standards within the ADR space. He commended the Judicial Service for sustaining the CCADR programme. Dr. Korankye-Sakyi also called for mandatory ADR requirements in civil cases, citing successful models in Canada, The Gambia, and South Africa.

Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, representing the Chief Justice, welcomed the establishment of the ADR Centre. He described the partnership as a timely intervention to consolidate gains made under the CCADR Programme. Justice Ackaah-Boafo assured the Centre of the Judiciary’s readiness to collaborate in advancing ADR practice. This support from the highest levels of the judiciary underlines the importance of this initiative.

Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, Judge-in-Charge of the CCADR Programme, confirmed the approval for recruiting more professional mediators. This expansion will allow the Secretariat to rely on the ADR Centre’s database of accredited practitioners. She also emphasised the need for a national database of ADR professionals for easier public access to qualified mediators. The High Court (Civil Procedure) (Amendment) Rules, 2020 (C.I. 133), already allow judges to mediate cases with the parties' consent.

The push for stronger ADR mechanisms has significant implications for Ghana's legal landscape and economy. Faster dispute resolution can reduce the cost and time involved in legal battles for businesses and individuals. This can improve the ease of doing business index for Ghana. Decision-makers will be watching how quickly the national practice manual and Legislative Instrument are developed to support sector regulation. This regulatory framework will be vital for ensuring consistent standards and public trust in ADR services. The move towards mandatory ADR in civil cases, if implemented, could transform how legal disputes are handled across the nation, further boosting efficiency.