The Africa Centre for Collaborative Dispute Resolution (AfCCoDR) has commended President Akufo-Addo for the successful inauguration of the Governing Board of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre under the Alternate Dispute Resolution Act of 2010 (Act 798) as reported by the Law Platform on July 16, 2024.
According to AfCCoDR “this landmark event, held at Jubilee House, marks a pivotal advancement in promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Ghana, reflecting the government’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of justice.”
“The establishment of this Centre is indeed a step in the right direction, one that has been eagerly anticipated for 14 years since the passage of Act 798 in 2010,” AfCCoDR said in a statement.
The statement, signed by Isaac Asare, Founder and President of AfCCoDR, lauded the adherence to Section 117(1) of the Act which states that the Centre shall have a governing Board composed of (a) a chairperson who is a lawyer of not less than twelve years standing; (b) one member of each of the following, nominated by the respective body, (i) Ghana Chamber of Commerce; (ii) the Ghana Bar Association; (iii) the Ghana Institute of Surveyors; (iv) the Judiciary; (v) Institute of Chartered Accountants; and (vi) a woman nominated by the President; (c) one representative of organised labour; (d) one representative from industry; and (e) the Executive Secretary of the Centre.
It believes that the diverse expertise of the board appointees will guide the ADR Centre towards achieving its objectives, including facilitating arbitration, mediation, and other voluntary dispute resolution processes.
However, AfCCoDR notes that the composition of the Governing Board, while commendable, is not yet complete, indicating that the requirement for a representative from industry, as stipulated in section 117(1)(d) of the ADR Act, is yet to be fulfilled.
Likewise, the appointment of the Executive Secretary of the Centre, as mentioned in section 117(1)(e), is pending, of which the President has assured that that appointment will be made in consultation with the Board.
“We look forward to the swift appointment of the remaining members, thereby fully complying with the provisions of the ADR Act 2010 (Act 798).
“The ADR Centre promises to significantly enhance the efficiency of dispute resolution in Ghana, providing a robust alternative to traditional litigation and making Ghana a hub for ADR Practice,” it stressed.
