By Eric Crentsil
The Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has urged Ghanaians to prioritise Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in settling disputes, particularly land-related cases, before resorting to litigation.
Speaking at the Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute’s 2025 Graduation and Matriculation Ceremony in Accra, she stressed that ADR offers a more efficient and less adversarial approach to conflict resolution, reducing the backlog in courts.
“What is exciting about ADR is that because the solutions are crafted by the parties and negotiated by them, the outcomes cannot be appealed, leading to an early shutdown of conflict,” she noted.
Justice Torkornoo highlighted that many land disputes in Ghana stem from customary law ownership issues, which could be better addressed through ADR mechanisms instead of prolonged court battles.
“Beyond the courts, I urge Ghanaians to consider private ADR centres as a first option in attempting to resolve disputes before subjecting cases to litigation,” she advised.
In his address, the CEO of Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute, Austin A. Gamey, appealed to the Chief Justice to ensure that at least 60% of civil cases go through ADR before heading to court.
“It is imperative that we establish a dedicated ADR centre, not only to resolve conflicts but also as a learning hub to promote peace and create employment opportunities,” he stated.
He emphasised that ADR is cost-effective, time-saving, and helps preserve relationships, making it an essential component of Ghana’s legal system.
The Deputy CEO of Gamey and Gamey ADR Institute, Lizzy-Ann Kwagbedzi, congratulated the 22 graduates of the 2024 cohort, who had successfully completed a 31-week training programme. She encouraged them to apply their knowledge and expertise to foster peace and conflict resolution in their communities.
“You have been trained in one of the most effective dispute resolution mechanisms. Go out and make a difference in your communities and workplaces,” she urged.
The graduation ceremony also marked the matriculation of a new cohort of students, reinforcing the growing importance of ADR in Ghana’s legal landscape.
With stakeholders pushing for greater adoption of ADR, it is expected that the initiative will ease the burden on the judiciary and contribute to national peace and development.
