By: Daniel Donkor
The Chief Justice of Ghana, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has revealed that thousands of disputes across the country are increasingly being resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), a trend he says reflects growing public trust in the system.
Speaking at the official launch of ADR Week in Sunyani, the Chief Justice disclosed that 7,324 cases were referred to ADR nationwide between January and December 2025, with 4,195 of them successfully settled.
“These figures demonstrate the growing confidence that litigants, lawyers and judicial officers have in the ADR system,” he said.
According to him, 138 courts across Ghana are currently connected to the ADR Programme, supported by 336 trained mediators who help facilitate the peaceful settlement of disputes outside the traditional courtroom process.
The launch of the week-long programme was held under the theme “Adoption of Innovation and Technology to Enhance Access to Justice Delivery Through ADR.”
Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie noted that the integration of technology into dispute resolution has the potential to transform access to justice across the country.
He explained that virtual mediation sessions can allow disputing parties to participate without the burden of travelling long distances, while digital systems can streamline case management, scheduling and communication, ultimately reducing delays in the justice delivery process.
“Technology offers an opportunity to remove many of the barriers that prevent people especially those in rural and remote communities from accessing justice,” he said.
The Chief Justice described the national impact of ADR as encouraging, stressing that the system has proven to be a faster, less confrontational and more cost-effective method of resolving disputes.
He emphasised that the continued success of ADR depends on the active commitment of all stakeholders within the justice system.
Judges and magistrates, he said, must play a critical role by identifying and referring appropriate cases to ADR, while lawyers should encourage clients whose cases are suitable for settlement to embrace the process.
The Chief Justice also highlighted the important role of the media in educating the public on the benefits of ADR, noting that greater awareness would further strengthen confidence in the system.
“Our vision within the Judicial Service is to build a justice system that is accessible, efficient and responsive to the needs of the Ghanaian people,” he said, adding that ADR remains one of the most effective tools for achieving this goal.
He called for renewed efforts to strengthen ADR as a key pillar of Ghana’s justice delivery system, stressing that doing so would help ensure justice remains fair, timely, inclusive and sustainable.
The Judge in charge of ADR, Angelina Mensah-Homiah, underscored the importance of technology in modern justice systems.
She revealed that virtual mediation has already been piloted in Accra, with plans underway to extend the initiative to other regions of the country.
“The adoption of digital tools in justice delivery is no longer a luxury but a necessity,” she said, urging stakeholders to leverage existing technology to enhance the effectiveness of ADR nationwide.
The Supervising High Court Judge for the Bono and Ahafo Regions, Joyce Boahen, also called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the success of ADR.
She urged judges and magistrates to actively refer cases that are suitable for settlement through ADR, while lawyers must advise clients to consider mediation where appropriate.
Justice Boahen further encouraged traditional leaders to continue engaging the courts to allow certain disputes to be resolved through customary and out-of-court mechanisms, a practice she said can help promote community harmony and faster justice delivery.
The ADR Week celebration is expected to feature public education activities, mediation sessions and stakeholder engagements, all aimed at deepening public understanding and expanding the use of ADR as an efficient pathway to justice in Ghana.
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Source:
www.gbcghanaonline.com
