Addressing an audience including members of the Judiciary – justices of the Supreme Court, Judges, Magistrates, Members of the Ghana Bar Association, ADR professionals, traditional leaders, students, and other stakeholders in Koforidua, the Chief Justice reaffirmed ADR’s role in transforming Ghana’s legal landscape.
“ADR guarantees win-win justice,” he declared. “The parties win, the lawyers win, and mediators win. It is efficient, humane, and rooted in compromise rather than confrontation.”
Designed to reduce case backlogs and foster public awareness, the ADR week was initiated with series of pre-launch activities to promote Court-Connected ADR as a practical and inclusive alternative to litigation.
“Court-connected ADR fosters dialogue in a non-adversarial setting,” the Chief Justice said. “It empowers parties to resolve issues on their own terms, avoid bitterness, and preserve relationships.”
He reinforced his message by quoting U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: “Courts should not be the places where resolution of disputes begins. They should be where disputes end, after ADR methods have been tried.”
Abraham Lincoln’s enduring advice also echoed through the address: “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbour to compromise whenever you can.”
While ADR may not be applicable in serious criminal cases or those of heightened public interest, the Chief Justice emphasized its value in resolving civil and family disputes with empathy and speed.
He urged registrars of the court and legal practitioners to embrace ADR as a first step, not a last resort.
“Even a layman is a mediator,” he said. “When citizens hear case details and instinctively seek dialogue, that reflects our civil society’s maturity. ADR is not just a concept; it’s a cultural shift.”
Backing the theme with empirical evidence, Mr. Fidelis Osei Duah, Director of Legal Aid, shared impressive ADRI statistics from the Eastern Region.
Of 1,706 civil complaints received in 2024, 1,613 were resolved through ADR, amounting to a success rate of 94.5 per cent.
“This is the power of dialogue,” he said. “ADR is no longer a second option; it is a frontline strategy in building restorative justice,” he added.
Under the Legal Aid Commission Act 2018 (Act 977), civil disputes received by the Commission are now referred directly to its ADRI Division, an approach that has significantly reduced litigation costs and court congestion.
The Judicial Service has designated one week per legal term for nationwide ADR activities, including mass mediation sessions, civic education, and stakeholder training.
Currently, 138 courts are connected to the ADR framework nationwide, with 19 based in the Eastern Region, a testament to ADR’s expanding footprint.
Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, Justice of the Court of Appeal and Judge with Oversight Responsibility for the Court-Connected ADR stressed that continued collaboration with traditional authorities, civil society, and legal actors was critical to scaling the programme.
“Every citizen deserves justice that listens before it judges,” she said. “And that is exactly what ADR offers.”
As part of its nationwide campaign to promote ADR, the Judicial Service of Ghana commenced a week-long sensitization tour across key courts, institutions, and stakeholder groups in the Eastern Region.
The initiative, which ran from July 14 to July 20, 2025, aimed to deepen public understanding of ADR and encourage its adoption as a remedy for Ghana’s growing court case backlog.
Justice Mensah-Homiah led the sensitization team to visit over 20 locations, engaging diverse audiences including judicial officers, financial institutions, transport unions, educational institutions, religious bodies, and traditional authorities.
The Judicial Service of Ghana officially launched the third term of the 2024/2025 Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution Week.
Acting Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie performed the ceremonial opening, reinforcing national commitment to inclusive and restorative justice.
GNA
