The quest for mass adoption of Appropriate Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms for the resolution of disputes in Ghana, gained more momentum with the commemoration of the ADR Week by the Judicial Service.
The weeklong event, which ended last Friday witnessed the use of ADR processes, particularly mediation, in many of the courts across the country.
Although the Judicial Service is yet to release figures relating to the cases resolved during the Week, checks by ADR Daily reveal that a high number of litigants opted for mediation during the event.
Mr. Charles Turkson, Greater Accra Regional Coordinator of the Court-Connected ADR Programme, described the outcome of the Week as “Impressive.”
In an interaction with ADR Daily at the Accra High Court Complex at the end of the Week’s celebration, he indicated that many more judges referred cases to ADR, as a result of more parties availing themselves of an amicable resolution.
“The numbers keep rising,” he said, indicating the public confidence in the ADR mechanism continues to grow.
Togbe Hotormaho Amedzake, Chairman of the Court-Connected ADR Practitioners of Ghana, for his part, lauded the progress of ADR practice in the country.
He assured the public of quality ADR services, especially at the courts, and urged all litigants to adopt ADR for the expeditious, inexpensive, and amicable settlement of their cases.
Last year, 5,455 court cases were mediated through ADR, out of which 2,312, representing 42 percent, were settled.
The Judicial Service also extended the ADR programme to 131 courts across the country, while 635 mediators were trained with at least five of them being assigned to each court.
Also, regional ADR secretariats, resourced with coordinators and supporting staff, have been established by the Service in 10 out of the 16 regions.
The Week, which was launched in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region had the theme: “Making our court’s user friendly through the use of ADR.
