The acting Executive Secretary of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre, Dr Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi, has called for the wider adoption of the ADR mechanism, describing it as an essential tool for promoting accessible justice, preserving relationships and accelerating national development.
He said while litigation remained an indispensable pillar of the justice system, not every dispute required judicial determination.
Addressing the graduation ceremony of the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS) Ghana, Dr Korankye-Sakyi explained that in many instances, people were more interested in practical, timely and mutually acceptable solutions than prolonged legal battles, making ADR a more appropriate option.
He stressed that ADR promoted dialogue, collaboration and consensus rather than confrontation, thereby strengthening relationships and fostering peaceful coexistence.
The graduation ceremony in Accra was on the theme: “Justice Beyond the Courtroom: The Options ADR and Paralegal Studies Offer".
A total of 123 students graduated with qualifications in ADR and Paralegal Studies.
ADR advantages
Dr Korankye-Sakyi said justice should not be measured solely by the number of cases decided in court, but also by the ability of people to resolve disputes amicably.
Justice, he said, was also achieved when neighbours reconciled after misunderstandings, businesses preserved commercial relationships through mediation, families avoided years of acrimonious litigation, and communities resolved conflicts through dialogue.
The ADR Centre acting Executive Secretary also challenged the perception of ADR as merely an alternative to litigation, stressing that it had become an integral part of contemporary justice systems across the world.
He explained that mediation, arbitration and negotiation were widely used by governments, multinational corporations, financial institutions, educational institutions, international organisations and communities.
“In Ghana, the success of the Court-Connected ADR Programme over the past two decades has demonstrated that ADR is not merely an alternative but an essential first option to litigation,” he said.
Dr Korankye-Sakyi added that commercial transactions routinely included arbitration and mediation clauses, while family, labour and construction disputes increasingly relied on ADR mechanisms.
He said ADR enhanced access to justice because it was faster, less expensive and less adversarial than conventional court proceedings.
He said by reducing delays, minimising legal costs and easing congestion in the courts, ADR strengthened public confidence in the justice system, enhanced investor confidence, promoted the ease of doing business, and contributed to national development.
Professionalism
Dr Korankye-Sakyi reminded the graduates that the certificates they had received represented an opportunity, but their reputation would ultimately depend on their competence, integrity and commitment to ethical practice.
He urged them to uphold professionalism, promote peace and champion dialogue and conflict resolution in their workplaces and communities to advance justice beyond the courtroom.
For his part, the President of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners, Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, advised the graduates to remain steadfast in upholding the values of their profession despite the challenges and temptations they might encounter.
