By Joyce Danso
Accra, Dec. 2, GNA- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioners have been asked to eschew corruption and remain neutral in their mediations.
Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, President of Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAAP) also urged the practitioners to be guided by their professional ethics to gain more confidence from the public as they mediate in various cases.
“If you are mediator and you are corrupt, you are the most dangerous person. In Ghana people do not believe in Ghanaian mediators because they think they are corrupt. They rather prefer foreigners. But if you eschew corruption, you will stand out.”
Mr Owusu-Koranteng gave the advice at the Institute of Paralegal and Leadership Studies (IPLS) Graduation ceremony for 2025 Cohorts at the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Legon on Saturday.
In all, 138 graduated with Professional Executive Masters in ADR, Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies, Professional Executive Master in Family Law and Conflict Resolution, Professional Executive Master in industrial and Labour Relations and Practice.
The ceremony was under the theme: “Justice made accessible: the power of skilled ADR and Paralegal Practitioners.”
Mr Owusu-Koranteng also charged the graduands to change their way of thinking and mind set to help develop the country through their profession.
According to him ADR was the best route that could serve the needs of the people when it came to accessing justice delivery.
Apostle Professor Jospeh Ignatius Teye Buertey, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Science and Computing, Pentecost University, who was the guest speaker, charged the graduands to ensure that they allow justice and peace guide them as they commence profession.
Apostle Prof. Buertey noted that there were challenges when people access justice noting that distance from once home to where a court was situated could frustrate justice delivery in the country.
He said it was important for the graduands to broaden their knowledge as cases and problems brought before them had different dynamics.
Apostle Prof. also urged them to be ambassadors of justice and use their skills to change the narratives in justice delivery.
Nana Oppong Agyei Sikapa, Kontirehene of Tamante in the Kumawo Traditional Area, recounted that the use of ADR over the years had resulted in the fast adjudication of cases and same had saved time.
Nana Sikapa said as practitioners they were to facilitate dialogues and urged them not to impose their ideas on parties.
“Be peace agents, strive to stand firm, mediate effectively to bring smiles on the faces of parties and do not be money conscious,” he added.
Mr Alex Nartey, Governor of IPLS, told the graduands not to think that there were no disputes to be resolved.
According to Mr Nartey, disputes abound in all sectors of the country, adding “even in churches, issues are crying for interventions. It is about those who can make it right, those who are passionate and committed to the process.”
He told the graduands that nothing was beyond them as far as ADR was concerned and charged them to go and practice and participate in mediations professionally.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie