Chief Justice Akuffo explaining an issue to Mr. Austin Gamey
Chief Justice Akuffo explaining an issue to Mr. Austin Gamey
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The Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo has renewed her commitment to boost the progress of the Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) regime in the country.

According to her, although ADR has made some significant progress in the country over the last few years, there was a need to promote its entrenchment for the benefit of the citizenry.

In that regard, she gave the assurance of effectively leading the Judicial Service in pursuing interventions that would make ADR more beneficial and meaningful to Ghanaians.

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Chief Justice Akuffo gave the assurance when Mr Austin Gamey, Chief Executive Officer of Gamey and Gamey Group, a leading ADR and Industrial Relations Management services provider, paid a courtesy call on her in Accra.

The assurance comes in the wake of her announcement of a plan by the Judicial Service to introduce a mandatory ADR system in which mediation would be a precondition for all civil cases.

It is expected to offer a major boost for the ADR system in Ghana, after the implementation of the Court-Connected ADR Programme in the Judicial Service.

Chief Justice Akuffo, who has been an advocate of ADR, was happy about the progress made by the Judicial Service and other private entities in the provision of ADR services, but noted that there was more opportunity for expansion.

She lauded the contribution of the private sector in advancing the course of ADR in Ghana, and particularly commended Gamey and Gamey Group for the leading role it continuous to play in the field of ADR.

In addition, she commended the Company for the establishment of the Gamey and Co ADR Centre, describing it as a timely intervention in providing quality ADR services to the disputing parties.

Chief Justice Akuffo receiving a painting from Mr. Gamey
Chief Justice Akuffo receiving a painting from Mr. Gamey

That, she said, would go a long to help parties resolve their disputes amicably without resorting to litigations that have clogged the courts.

According to her, there was a dire need for ADR mechanisms to be an integral part of the justice delivery system, adding that professionalism is key in building confidence in the ADR system.

“ADR is the way to go for peaceful co-existence and development of the nation, because peaceful people are productive people,” she said.

The Chief Justice assured the Group of collaboration with her outfit towards pursuing interventions for the growth of the sector.

Mr Austin Gamey, for his part applauded the Chief Justice for her strong passion towards promoting ADR practice, and recalled her immense contribution when she led the Judicial Service’s taskforce that developed the Court-Connected ADR Programme in 2007.

Chief Justice Akuffo (second left) receiving a painting from Mr Gamey, while the Judicial Secretary, Mr. Alex Acheampong (left), looks on.
Chief Justice Akuffo (second left) receiving a painting from Mr Gamey, while the Judicial Secretary, Mr. Alex Acheampong (left), looks on.

He noted that Ghana has come a long way with the implementation of the ADR Act 2010, Act 798 and the use of ADR mechanisms across various sectors of the country.

According to Mr Gamey, to secure a successful future of ADR, the practice needs to be enhanced through sustained professional training of ADR practitioners, judges and lawyers to keep them abreast of best practices in ADR.

By: Lizzy-Ann Kwagbedzi/adrdaily.com

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ADR Daily is a specialized news portal with a focus on providing authentic news, information and research analysis on Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR), Human Resource Management (HRM) and Industrial Relations Management (IRM) in Ghana and beyond. This platform serves as an information resource base for the progress of the ADR, HRM and IRM industries, and seeks to promote professionalism in ADR practice by supporting a network of ADR professionals within and across nations and continents. ADR Daily keenly encourages the mass adoption of ADR mechanisms, particularly negotiation, mediation and arbitration for the resolution of disputes in all spheres, through the publication of industry news and information, as well as by deploying innovative awareness creation engagements.