The 2025 graduation of the Professional Executive Master of Appropriate Dispute Resolution (PEM.ADR) programme of the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute, has been held with a call on Ghanaians to patronise private ADR Centres for dispute resolution services.
The Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, who made the call said it was more beneficial for individuals and organisations to secure amicable resolution of disputes at private ADR Centre, than to resort to the courts.
She explained that, resorting to private ADR Centres as a first option in attempting to resolve disputes, before considering court litigation, is an appropriate measure for parties to gain expeditious, confidential, inexpensive and amicable settlements, which are recognized by the courts.
Chief Justice Torkornoo, delivering the keynote address at the joint graduation and matriculation ceremony in Accra on Saturday, stressed the pivotal role of ADR in driving investment, promoting peace, and enhancing prosperity.
She explained that the high benefits and advantages of ADR mechanisms, especially mediation, makes it imperative for individuals and organisations to explore private ADR services, instead of resorting to court litigation.
“Institutions such as the Gamey and Co ADR Centre and other private ADR service providers that offer professional, efficient, and confidential dispute resolution services are much commended for setting up these forums for deploying ADR mechanisms that can save time, costs, and preserve relationships.
The Chief Justice particularly emphasized the importance of ADR in addressing land disputes, which often stem from customary law disagreements.
“If ADR Centres help to untie the knots regarding which family, clan, or stool actually owns lands in a particular area, the ripple effect on investment, peace, and prosperity will be immeasurable,” she stated.
Justice Torkornoo underscored the need for individuals and institutions to embrace ADR as a more efficient, less adversarial, and cost-effective means of resolving disputes. She reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to promoting ADR as a critical tool in reducing the backlog of cases in the courts and enhancing access to justice.
The event, held under the theme “Crafting Peaceful Solutions: Mastering ADR for a Sustainable Future, and Job Creation,” marked the graduation of 22 students who had completed the 31-week intensive ADR training, as well as the formal induction of about 45 new participants into the PEM.ADR program. The graduating class consisted security officers, traditional leaders, CEOs, HR managers, labour union leaders, religious leaders, engineers, school administrators, and board members, among others. 
Chief Justice Torkornoo lauded the contribution of private ADR institutions in enhancing justice delivery in the country, adding that “by embracing ADR at the community, corporate and national levels, the entire nation will move towards a stronger culture of peace and ensure that justice is not only served but also achieved timeously, amicably, inexpensively and efficiently.”
In view of the increasingly positive results from the Judicial Service’s Court-Connected ADR programme through which court mediators have resolved thousands of cases, recording a average of 48 percent resettlement rate of referred cases nationwide, to reduce the caseload on the courts, she gave the assurance that the Judicial Service will continue to invest in ADR through various interventions.
For instance, she noted that the “Judicial Training Institute stands ready to collaborate with the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute to training adjudicators and court connected mediators, especially using the PULSE frame.”
Chief Justice Torkornoo congratulated the graduating participants for the achievement in acquiring critical skills for professional ADR practice, reminding them that they have been more than equipped to give of their best “to a nation that needs to increase its models of peaceful resolution of conflicts. Let your work reflect the highest standards of integrity, impartiality and professionalism.”
Mr Austin Gamey, CEO of Gamey and Gamey Group, in his remarks recommended to the Judicial Service to consider referring at least 60 per cent of all civil cases to ADR to help parties to secure efficient resolution of disputes, and to reduce the burden on the courts.
He gave the assurance that the Institute would continue to contribute to the growth of Ghana’s ADR industry by churning out skilled ADR professionals to provide quality services, explaining that in over two decades, Gamey and Gamey has produced over 650 ADR professionals in Ghana and other West Africa countries, many of whom are making remarkable contributions in various sectors, including the Judicial Service, where some serve as court connected mediators.
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, commended the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute for its immense contribution to ADR development and conflict resolution in Ghana over the years, and announced the intention of the Chief Imam’s office to partner the Institute to train Islamic leaders and Muslim groups in ADR.
Dr Fidelis Patrice Seddoh, a Commissioner at the National Labour Commission, who chaired the event, also congratulated the new ADR practitioners, and urged them to effectively apply their skills and tools to help in promoting amicable settlement of disputes at the family, organisational, community and national levels.
Madam Alberta Aku Agbemordzi, the president of the graduating cohort, expressed appreciation for the skills they have been empowered with to promote peaceful resolution of the most complex issues, adding that they acknowledge the responsibility to make a difference in the field of conflict resolution.
Mrs. Lizzy-Ann Kwagbedzi, Deputy CEO, Gamey and Gamey Group, in her welcome address, thanked the Institute’s partners, especially Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG) for the continuous collaboration and support in promoting the growth of Ghana’s ADR industry.
