The Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has passionately urged Ghanaians to prioritise dialogue and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods over litigation, whenever conflicts arise. He emphasised that the courtroom should be seen as the last resort, not the first instinct.
He made this call at the official launch of the Third Term Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (CCADR) Week celebration held in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital.
The opening ceremony brought together esteemed judges, lawyers, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and students from selected Senior High Schools (SHSs) and heads of critical institutions in the region.
This year’s event is being celebrated under the theme: “Building the Pillars of Justice Delivery Through CCADR”, reflecting a continued commitment to ensuring accessible, fair and efficient justice for all.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie explained that the week-long celebration aims to raise public awareness about the benefits of CCADR and encourage mass mediation efforts to help resolve the backlog of cases in the justice system.
He acknowledged that while the traditional court system plays a crucial role in justice delivery, it can be costly and time-consuming.
In contrast, CCADR offers more efficient tools such as mediation, arbitration, negotiation and conciliation, all of which help resolve disputes in a humane and constructive manner.
“CCADR fosters dialogue in a non-adversarial setting, allowing parties to understand each other’s perspectives and arrive at mutually beneficial solutions,” he said.
He stressed that this approach helps preserve both personal and professional relationships and avoids the bitterness often associated with litigation and further empowers individuals to resolve disputes on their own terms, rather than relying strictly on rigid legal rules.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie described CCADR as a more efficient and cost-effective method of resolving disputes, promoting faster case resolution and reducing the financial burden on litigants.
According to him, it also enhances the inclusiveness of justice by providing a level playing field, especially for those without legal representation or significant financial resources.
“The process promotes fairness and is conducted informally, making justice more accessible to the average citizen,” he noted.
However, the Acting Chief Justice acknowledged that CCADR might not be appropriate for all cases, particularly those involving serious criminal matters or issues of significant public interest.
He revealed that there are currently 138 courts connected to the national ADR programme, with 19 of them located in the Eastern Region, an indicator of the programme’s growing importance and the need for continued investment.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie used the occasion to encourage mediators and partner institutions to work diligently and collaboratively to expand CCADR services across the country, in order to strengthen Ghana’s justice delivery system.
