Ghana’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioners have been asked to broaden their knowledge and export their expertise beyond the country while picking up best practices.
“The time has come and in fact is long overdue, for Ghanaian ADR practitioners to broaden their knowledge and export their invaluable expertise beyond the borders of Ghana while picking best practices along the trail.
As ADR continues to evolve as a key mechanism for resolving dispute, practitioners in Ghana must proactively adopt strategies that ensure that their relevance and effectiveness in both local and global context.
Madam Diana Asonaba Dapaah, deputy Attorney General and deputy Minister of Justice said this at the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development Workshop (MCPDW) for members of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAAP) at University of Ghana Legon.
The occasion which was also used to induct 95 ADR graduands into GNAAP was under the theme: “The practice of ADR in Ghana, today and the Future, what the practitioner must look for.”
MCPDW is organized by GNAAP in collaboration with Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS) to improve and update the professional competence of members by way of increasing their knowledge and confidence to meet the rapidly changing professional demands of ADR Practice,
It is also to build a required network for the exchange of ideas and experience sharing.
Madam Dapaah also urged practitioners to be committed in advancing ADR in Ghana by adopting global best practices, build robust systems and equip themselves with tools and knowledge to remain effective in an ever-changing globe.
The Deputy Attorney General noted that the African Union (AU) and its sub regional bodies such as ECOWAS, have championed the use of ADR Mechanisms to address conflicts and promote stability on the continent.
She said it was therefore important for ADR Practitioners to network and seek consultancy for these bodies by sharing and bring their Ghanaian perspectives to bear.
The deputy Attorney General said people were tired of the adversarial system of resolving issues and challenges hence required the use of ADR in conflict resolutions.
According to her, through mediation, arbitration and conciliation, these organizations have facilitated resolutions in political disputes, territorial disagreement, and governance related conflicts.
“For example, ECOWAS has implemented ADR approaches in resolving disputes between member states and within fragile regions.
These efforts underscore the importance of ADR practitioners being familiar with regional protocol and processes to effectively contribute such resolutions.
She said ADR practitioners in Ghana could draw on the AU and ECOWAS frameworks to refine their techniques and align their practices with broader regional objectives.
She said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), an ambitious trade initiative, has a framework to resolve disputes efficiently and ensure that conflict did not undermine the larger goals of economic unity and development.
“By engaging with these bodies, ADR practitioners could gain exposure to complex, high stake disputes that require advance negotiation and mediation skills. You could also contribute to the development of ADR policies that align with international standards and enhance your credibility and network through participation in multilateral processes and initiatives.”
She entreated practitioners to engage in continuous education in the use of technological tools, tap into the use of Artificial Intelligence which have come to stay.
The deputy Attorney General noted that ADR has become a cornerstone of Ghana’s justice system, with court connected ADR programmes playing a crucial role in reducing case backlogs and offering efficient alternative to litigation.
Despite the successes chalked, Madam Dapaah said many litigants remain unfamiliar with the ADR process or were reluctant to participate.
She therefore called for broader public education to build trust in ADR.
“Furthermore, resource constraints, including limited number of trained mediators and arbitrators, can affect the quality and accessibility of Court Connected ADR services.”
She said, “addressing issues is essential to fully realizing the potential of ADR as key component of Ghana’s justice system.”
The deputy Attorney General appealed to the practitioners to invest in professional development so to ensure that their services remain competitive.
“As ADR practitioners, continuous education is key to staying informed and effective, keeping up with international development allows practitioners to incorporate proven strategies and tools in their work.
Be ethically inclined and compliant. You will destroy your career if you are not aware of ADR ethics,” she told the practitioners.
Graduands who were inducted into GNAAP were awarded certificates.
GNA
