Ashanti Regional GBA advocates ADR over media trials for business disputes

The Ashanti Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has called on businesses and individuals to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as the preferred method of settling commercial disputes rather than turning to media platforms.

According to him, ADR—integrated into the justice system by Ghana’s judiciary—provides a structured and legally recognized means for resolving conflicts efficiently.

Speaking at the launch of the 2025 ADR Week in Kumasi, Kwame Owusu Sekyere, cautioned against using the media as a battleground for legal disputes. He emphasized that this practice undermines the judicial system and does not provide enforceable resolutions.

This appeal follows growing concerns over the increasing trend of individuals and corporate entities airing business disputes in the media, often resulting in misinformation, reputational harm, and the absence of enforceable legal solutions.

Sekyere further explained that ADR ensures fairness and allows for an appeal process if either party is dissatisfied—an option unavailable when disputes are handled through media discussions.

A Call for Businesses to Leverage ADR

Encouraging businesses and the general public to explore court-connected ADR services, Sekyere highlighted the approach as a faster, cost-effective, and legally binding alternative to protracted litigation or publicized conflicts.

Justice Angelina Mensah-Homia, a Court of Appeal Judge overseeing ADR, represented Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo at the event. In a speech on behalf of the Chief Justice, she underscored the significance of ADR in modern justice delivery.

She described ADR as a practical and effective alternative to conventional litigation, offering mediation, arbitration, and negotiation options that foster collaboration, minimize costs, and maintain business relationships.

ADR’s Growing Role in Ghana’s Legal System

The Chief Justice emphasized that judges are mandated to encourage ADR in commercial cases, recognizing its contribution to economic stability and fair business practices.

Justice Hannah Taylor, Supervising High Court Judge, highlighted the growing accessibility of ADR, revealing that Ghana now has ADR services linked to 138 courts, supported by 635 coordinators nationwide, including 29 lower courts in the Ashanti Region.

The 2025 ADR Week will include engagements with key stakeholders such as the Ashanti Bar Association, the Attorney General’s Department, and the Ghana Prisons Service, reinforcing the commitment to expanding ADR’s role in Ghana’s legal framework.