Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie Launches ADR Week, Calls for Technology-Driven Justice Delivery

The Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has officially launched the nationwide Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Week for the First Term of the 2025–2026 Legal Year. The ceremony was held in Ho, a city he described as renowned for its calm environment, rich culture, and strong communal spirit.

This year’s celebration is being observed under the theme:
“Adoption of Innovation and Technology to Enhance Access to Justice Delivery through Alternative Dispute Resolution.”

Delivering his keynote address, the Chief Justice said the theme was timely and forward-looking, urging stakeholders to embrace digital transformation to expand access to justice. According to him, the world is evolving rapidly, and justice systems must evolve as well.

The Evolving Role of ADR

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized that justice is essential for social harmony, yet the traditional court system—although effective—can be slow, adversarial, and expensive. ADR, he explained, has become a credible complement to litigation, providing mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and negotiation.

He highlighted several advantages of ADR:

• Faster and less expensive compared to litigation
• Less adversarial, enabling open dialogue and mutual respect
• Preserves relationships, especially in family, workplace, and business matters
• Allows creative, interest-based solutions crafted by the parties themselves
• Reduces the caseload of the courts and speeds up justice delivery

He noted that over the past two decades, Ghana’s Court-Connected ADR (CCADR) has proven vital in reducing case backlogs. Many cases resolved through ADR never return to court, he added, underscoring the system’s credibility.

Technology and Innovation as Catalysts for Justice

The Chief Justice stressed that technology is no longer optional but essential.

According to him, integrating digital tools into ADR can:

• Broaden access through virtual mediation and online dispute resolution
• Enhance efficiency using digital filing, automated scheduling, and electronic notifications
• Improve user experience, allowing parties to participate remotely and comfortably

He said the Judicial Service is committed to ensuring that ADR forms part of the justice sector’s digitalisation agenda and will collaborate with ICT professionals, mediators, judges and development partners to establish a modern, secure, and inclusive system.

Court-Connected ADR Programme (CCADR)

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie reiterated the significance of the CCADR since its introduction in 2005. To boost public awareness, one week of each legal term is dedicated to ADR activities. The programme focuses on:

1. Mass Mediation Exercise

Mediators across the country resolve cases referred by the courts, reducing congestion and improving timelines.

2. Public Sensitisation

Through radio discussions, community engagements and stakeholder meetings, the Judicial Service educates the public on the benefits of ADR.

ADR agreements, he noted, are voluntary, confidential, and adopted as consent judgments with the same legal force as court decisions.

A Call for Collective Responsibility

The Chief Justice called on all stakeholders to support the ADR system:

• Public: ADR is not second-rate—it is effective, legitimate, and efficient.
• Judges and Magistrates: Continue to identify suitable cases for ADR referrals.
• Registrars and Staff: Maintain professionalism and diligence in ADR administration.
• Mediators: Uphold integrity and promote reconciliation.
• Lawyers: Guide clients toward ADR where appropriate.
• Media: Help strengthen public confidence in ADR.

He concluded by officially declaring the ADR Week duly launched, encouraging all to work together toward a justice system anchored in fairness, compassion, and respect for human dignity.

Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah Calls for Operationalisation of ADR Centres Nationwide

Speaking at the launch, Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, Justice of the Court of Appeal and the Justice-in-Charge of ADR, highlighted the growing acceptance of ADR across the Oti and Volta Regions.

She revealed that engagements with judges and communities in Jasikan, Hohoe, Sogakope, Akatsi, Dzodze, Denu, and Agbozume show that ADR is increasingly becoming the preferred method for dispute resolution.

She commended the Asogli Traditional Council, noting that 20 chiefs attended ADR sensitisation sessions and fully embraced the concept of both mediation and customary arbitration.

Justice Mensah-Homiah also emphasized that the ADR Act, 2010 (Act 798) provides for the establishment of a national ADR centre. When operationalised, the center will have national, regional and district offices to facilitate settlement of disputes outside the courts.

Key points she highlighted:

• ADR reduces the caseload on the courts
• ADR has settled 37,000 cases in the last 20 years
• ADR works closely with CHRAJ, Legal Aid Commission and the Bar
• 400 mediators were recruited in 2024 and are awaiting training and deployment
• Experienced mediators are needed to help resolve complex High Court cases

She pledged her commitment to ensuring the ADR Centre becomes fully operational.

Principal State Attorney Moses Ayine Asampoa Calls for Wider Use of ADR and Technology

Principal State Attorney Moses Ayine Asampoa also presented a speech, commending the Chief Justice for his leadership and expressing full support for his policies.

He elaborated on the theme for the ADR Week, noting that although ADR is backed by statutes such as:

• ADR Act, 2010 (Act 798)
• Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459)
• Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036)

its use remains underutilised by both lawyers and litigants.

He emphasised that ADR:

• Is simple and cost-effective
• Encourages win-win outcomes
• Preserves business and personal relationships
• Allows technical disputes to be handled by experts
• Promotes privacy, flexibility and speed

Lawyers and ADR

He expressed concern that some lawyers may discourage ADR because they fear reduced fees. He reminded them that instigating unnecessary litigation is professional misconduct under:

• Legal Profession Act, 1960
• Ghana Bar Association Constitution
• Legal Profession Etiquette Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423)

He urged lawyers to:

• Recommend ADR as a first option
• Embrace virtual mediation and digital filing
• Become ambassadors of technology-driven justice

Judges and ADR

Judges, he said, must act as gatekeepers by:

• Referring appropriate cases to ADR
• Tracking ADR progress through digital systems
• Encouraging litigants to appreciate ADR benefits

Proposal for an ADR Unit at the Attorney General’s Office

He proposed the creation of an arbitral or mediation body within the Attorney General’s office to settle disputes involving state agencies—such as issues between ECG, Ghana Water, Health Service and other institutions—rather than resorting to litigation.

Plea Bargaining as Criminal ADR

Asampoa also connected ADR principles to criminal justice through plea bargaining, noting that:

• It expedites criminal cases
• Helps address issues of long remand periods
• Reduces burdens caused by lack of witnesses
• Ensures efficient case disposal when guilt is clear

He encouraged prosecutors, defense lawyers and judges to apply the Plea-Bargaining Act, 2022 (Act 1079) more effectively.