Ghana’s acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has called on the public to make greater use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, describing them as a faster, fairer, and more collaborative way to settle disputes.

Speaking at the launch of the National ADR Week in Koforidua on Monday, July 21, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stressed that ADR is not just an alternative but a vital complement to Ghana’s justice system.

“The courtroom should not be the place where resolution of disputes begins. The courtroom should be a place where disputes end after ADR methods have been tried,” he stated. “Let us commit to a justice system where fairness, dialogue, and resolution triumph.”

The event, held under the theme “Building the Pillars of Justice Delivery Through ADR”, highlighted the growing role of mediation and arbitration in alleviating the burden on the formal courts and promoting amicable settlements.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie revealed that 138 courts across Ghana now have ADR programmes integrated into their operations, making it easier for citizens to access mediation services close to home. This expansion, he said, forms part of a broader strategy to decentralise justice delivery and improve public access to legal remedies.

The Director of the Legal Aid Commission, Fidelis Osei Duah, also underscored ADR’s success in resolving civil disputes, particularly in the Eastern Region.

“In the Eastern Region, the Legal Aid Commission received a total of 1,706 civil cases for the year 2024. Through the dedicated work of our ADR mediators, 1,613 cases were successfully resolved,” he said.

“This represents a success rate of approximately 94.5%, clearly demonstrating the power of dialogue and compromise in our justice system.”

Legal experts have long argued that ADR is critical for reducing case backlogs, lowering legal costs, and fostering harmonious relationships between disputing parties. The latest data and high-level endorsements are expected to further boost public confidence in mediation and arbitration as practical tools for achieving justice.