Accra, March 25, GNA – The Africa Centre for Collaborative Dispute Resolution (AfCCoDR) has urged the Government to reconsider key aspects of the dispute resolution provisions in the Ghana Gold Board Bill. 2025.
It argued that further refinements were needed to improve the process’s efficiency and effectiveness.
The recommendations were outlined in a statement signed by Mr. Isaac Asare, Founder and President of AfCCoDR, and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
AfCCoDR noted that the dispute resolution process should adopt a structured approach, beginning with negotiation and mediation before escalating to arbitration (Tribunal).
The Centre said that the current bill lacked provisions for mediation, a critical step in resolving disputes amicably before formal adjudication.
To strengthen the framework, AfCCoDR proposed that the bill explicitly required mandatory mediation before disputes proceeded to arbitration.
“This ensures parties have the opportunity to resolve conflicts in a cost-effective and timely manner,” the statement said.
Additionally, the Centre recommended that the Gold Board maintained a register of qualified mediators to facilitate dispute resolution when needed.
It also called for a more diverse Dispute Resolution Committee, suggesting that membership should extend beyond lawyers to include experienced ADR professionals with expertise in mediation and arbitration.
“This would ensure a fair and balanced process,” AfCCoDR stated.
Regarding the Gold Board Tribunal, AfCCoDR recommended that it should incorporate ADR professionals and industry experts alongside legal practitioners to leverage specialized knowledge in both dispute resolution and the mining sector.
The statement further highlighted the importance of including representatives from the Ghana Chamber of Mines in both the Dispute Resolution Committee and the Tribunal to provide industry insights.
While commending the inclusion of dispute resolution mechanisms in the bill, AfCCoDR stressed that these refinements were essential to help Ghana maximize the benefits of the Gold Board initiative.
GNA