A Lecturer at Ashesi University, Professor Enyonam Canice Kudonoo has revealed that 70,000 cases have so far been resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Ghana over the past decade, .
She noted that ADR had not only enhanced affordability and accessibility but had also reduced cases backlog in various the courts of the country.
Prof. Kudonoo was speaking at the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS) graduation ceremony for 71 Professional Executive Master in ADR (PEMADR) and Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies (PEMGPS) November 2025 Cohorts held at GNAT Hall in Accra on Saturday, March 7.
The ceremony was on the theme: “Equipped for Justice and Service Through ADR and Legal Knowledge Among Non-Lawyers.”
Alternative Dispute Resolution provides for the settlement of disputes by arbitration or mediation without going through trial by traditional courts.
Prof Kudonoo directed the graduates to use their expertise to transform communities within Ghana and beyond.
“Go and transform communities in Ghana and beyond. Be genuine in all that you do and do not focus so much on money. Make justice accessible, affordable and mutually agreeable to the vulnerable or economically disadvantaged,” she said.
Prof Kudonoo further tasked the graduates to resort to restorative justice approach, which would result in peace, fairness and justice.
She said ADR in the past year had restored relationships, repaired trust and fostered social cohesion.
She noted that in ADR, confidentiality was crucial in the resolution of matters and urged the graduates to create environments that would enable disputants to share their innermost feelings for them to get to know the root causes of the problem.
She urged practitioners not to be easily swayed by parties in cases, but should understand events and use ADR principles to settle cases. She proposed the setting up of ADR desks in various workplaces to resolve conflicts amicably.
Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, President of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAAP), urged the graduands not to align to any party that appeared before them.
He appealed to the graduates to desist from exhibiting body and tone of languages that connoted mistrust when parties appeared before them. That, he said, would enable the parties to build faith and trust in them.
Mr Owusu-Koranteng charged mediators to show neutrality so they would have good perspectives of cases and dispense justice and fairness.
Mr Alex Nartey, the Governor, IPLS, urged the graduates to be job creators instead of job seekers by exhibiting high standards in their various endevaours. He entreated them to work hard and eschew dishonesty in their dealings.
He said as graduates of IPLS, they were expected to serve as good ambassadors so they could stand out among their peers.
The IPLS, established in February 2013, is a registered training and development institute under the laws of Ghana.
It is dedicated to the development and promotion of ADR, human rights-based approaches to development in Paralegal Studies, and capacity enhancement programmes in Management and Leadership Studies.
The Institute has trained significant number of professionals from diverse backgrounds.
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