President John Dramani Mahama has moved to fully operationalise Ghana’s alternative justice system by appointing legal academic Dr. Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi as the inaugural Acting Executive Secretary of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre.

The appointment, made under Article 195(1) of the Constitution and the ADR Act, 2010 (Act 798), marks a historic milestone in Ghana's legal landscape.

Although the law establishing the centre was passed 16 years ago, it only recently gained full administrative momentum with the inauguration of its first Governing Board in 2024, chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Jones Victor Dotse.

A Portfolio of Excellence

Dr. Korankye-Sakyi arrives at the role with more than two decades of high-level experience across public administration and legal academia.

A Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) Faculty of Law and a part-time lecturer at the University of Ghana, he is a recognised authority in commercial, trade, and investment law.

His academic credentials include a PhD in Law from the University of Ghana and advanced professional training from Harvard Law School. As a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb), he bridges the gap between theoretical law and the practicalities of international mediation and trade dispute resolution.

The Mandate: Efficiency and Speed

As the centre's public face and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Korankye-Sakyi is tasked with a formidable agenda. His primary responsibilities include:

• Administration: Overseeing the day-to-day business of the Centre.
• The Register: Maintaining the official list of qualified arbitrators and mediators.
• Policy Implementation: Formulating management strategies in collaboration with the Governing Board.

Key Responsibility	Objective
Day-to-Day Operations	Enhancing institutional efficiency in conflict management.
Registry Management	Building a pool of verified, high-caliber neutrals.
Sector Specialization	Tackling technical disputes in days or weeks, rather than years.

Vision for an African ADR Hub

The new Executive Secretary is clear about the challenges ahead.

He identified gaps in specialized knowledge and the enforcement of awards as the primary hurdles currently facing the ADR landscape.

"Despite advancements, the landscape of ADR faces gaps in specialised knowledge, the enforcement of awards, and technical expertise," Dr. Korankye-Sakyi noted.

His vision is to transform the centre into a mechanism that can resolve disputes within "days or weeks," effectively decongesting the traditional court system.

With the backing of the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Justice, he aims to position Ghana as a regional hub for ADR in Africa, capable of handling complex cross-border commercial disputes.

Political and Managerial Pedigree

Beyond academia, Dr. Korankye-Sakyi brings proven executive competence to the table, having previously served as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira.

He currently represents the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the ADR Centre’s Governing Board, ensuring that the interests of the private sector are integrated into the Centre's operational DNA.

By bridging traditional customary arbitration with modern court-connected mechanisms, Dr. Korankye-Sakyi's leadership is expected to offer a faster, more flexible, and cost-effective alternative to litigation for both individuals and corporate entities.