“Since I started practicing as a mediator, I have realized that it is best to use ADR because it is a win-win situation. This is because we don’t look at who is right or who is wrong and we strive to calm nerves and encourage people to dialogue. Over the years, I have witnessed that people who come to court are sometimes very good friends but because of trivial issues, they become enemies. But when we are able to resolve their issues through ADR, they get back together. Some of them shake hands or hug and walk together as they leave the court premises. They leave in a more cheerful manner and this makes me happy as a mediator”, she said.

Madam Rose Adjei, who is also a Guidance and Counselling Coordinator of the SDA College of Education at Asokore, in the New Juaben North Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana, made these remarks during a sensitization exercise at the School.

The exercise on CCADR was done by a team from the Judicial Service of Ghana, led by Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, a Justice of the Court of Appeal with oversight responsibility on CCADR nationwide. The goal of the sensitization exercise was to raise awareness on the ADR system within the courts and encourage citizens to willingly choose it over litigation.

 
                                     
                                                                            Madam Rose Adjei, trained CCADR mediator and Guidance and
                                                                           Counselling Coordinator of the SDA College of Education, Asokore

Madam Rose Adjei therefore commended the Judicial Service for the awareness creation as it impacts on fostering social cohesion.

“I love the sensitization that is being done by the Judicial Service because it will bring more people to us as mediators to settle issues using the CCADR. I have realized that litigation sometimes extends to family members and friends who sometimes show up in court to show solidarity but when ADR is able to solve issues, you see that the friction and tension go away. We try to let people understand that that yes, a lawyer is handling your case but the issue is between you and your family member, friend or business partner so calm done and let us talk for peace to reign”, she said.

                                          
                                                                                Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, Judge in-charge of CCADR

For her part, Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah took lecturers and students of the College through the entire ADR concept and processes, stressing on its benefits to citizens and the courts.

“ADR is relatively cheaper and faster than litigation. It is nobody’s desire to have cases pending in court for years, hence we are preaching the ADR message to help clear the backlog of cases in court as well as reduce the burden on Judges”, she said.

                                           
                                                                                               Alhaji Yussif Amudani Sulemana, Eastern Regional Chief Imam

The team from the Judicial Service at a different sensitization exercise also engaged with Muslims at the Koforidua Central Mosque during their Friday Jummah Prayers, where the Eastern Regional Chief Imam, Alhaji Yussif Amudani Sulemana, was full of gratitude for the education.

                                            
                                                                                 Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, and her team at the mosque

The week-long sensitization exercise is targeted at various stakeholders in the justice delivery system in and around Koforidua, ahead of the Third Term ADR Week.