Accra, March 7, – Approximately 70,000 disputes have been resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Ghana over the past decade, Professor Enyonam Canice Kudonoo, a lecturer at Ashesi University, has disclosed.
She said the growing use of ADR had significantly improved access to justice, reduced the cost of resolving disputes, and helped ease the backlog of cases in the courts.
Prof Kudonoo made the remarks at the graduation ceremony of the November 2025 cohorts of the Professional Executive Master in ADR (PEMADR) and Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies (PEMGPS) programmes organised by the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS) at the GNAT Hall on Saturday.
A total of 71 graduates were awarded certificates at the ceremony, which was held on the theme: “Equipped for Justice and Service Through ADR and Legal Knowledge Among Non-Lawyers.”
ADR refers to mechanisms such as mediation and arbitration, which allow disputes to be settled outside the formal court system.
Prof Kudonoo encouraged the graduates to apply their newly acquired skills to help resolve conflicts in their communities.
“Go and transform communities in Ghana and beyond. Be genuine in all that you do and do not focus so much on money,” she advised.
“Make justice accessible, affordable and mutually agreeable, especially for the vulnerable and economically disadvantaged.”
She urged the practitioners to adopt restorative justice approaches, noting that ADR had helped restore relationships, rebuild trust, and promote social cohesion in communities.
Prof Kudonoo emphasised the importance of confidentiality in dispute resolution, encouraging practitioners to create safe environments where parties could openly express their concerns to uncover the root causes of conflicts.
She also proposed the establishment of ADR desks in workplaces to help resolve disputes amicably before they escalate.
Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, President of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAAP), cautioned the graduates to maintain neutrality when handling cases.
He advised them to avoid gestures or tones that could create mistrust among disputing parties, stressing that professionalism and impartiality were essential for successful mediation.
“Maintaining neutrality will enable you to understand the perspectives of both parties and ensure fairness in resolving disputes,” he said.
Mr Alex Nartey, Governor of IPLS, encouraged the graduates to become job creators rather than job seekers by upholding high professional standards in their careers.
He urged them to work diligently and avoid dishonesty, adding that as alumni of the Institute, they were expected to serve as ambassadors of excellence.
The Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies, established in February 2013, is a registered training and development institute dedicated to promoting ADR, human rights-based development approaches in paralegal studies, and leadership and management training.
Over the years, the institute has trained a large number of professionals from diverse backgrounds.
GHBUSS
8 March 2026
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