Ghanaians urged to embrace ADR as key to swift, fair justice
By DL News
Published
1 min read
Speaking at the launch of National ADR Week in Koforidua under the theme “Building the Pillars of Justice Delivery Through ADR”, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie described ADR as a “win-win” approach that often leads to quicker, fairer outcomes while...
Ghana’s Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has made a compelling call for Ghanaians to increasingly turn to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a credible and efficient pathway to justice.
Speaking at the launch of National ADR Week in Koforidua under the theme “Building the Pillars of Justice Delivery Through ADR”, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie described ADR as a “win-win” approach that often leads to quicker, fairer outcomes while reducing the burden on the court system.
Highlighting ongoing efforts to decentralize justice, the Acting Chief Justice pointed to the establishment of 138 ADR-connected courts across the country. These courts are intended to make justice more accessible and less adversarial, especially in civil matters.
Backing the Chief Justice’s message, Fidelis Osei Duah, Director of the Legal Aid Commission, reported impressive results from ADR efforts in the Eastern Region. In 2024 alone, the Commission received 1,706 civil cases, out of which 1,613 were resolved through ADR, reflecting a success rate of 94.5%.
The event’s messaging signals a broader institutional push to normalize mediation, negotiation, and arbitration as first-line solutions in civil disputes. For many Ghanaians—particularly those in underserved communities—ADR offers a faster, less costly, and more participatory alternative to traditional litigation.
