‘One cannot talk about ADR on the African continent without the mention of Ghana’. ADR training is critical in our operations and Ghana has been a force to reckon with’, he said.
Professor Uwazie, who is also the Chair, at the Criminal Justice Division of the California State University, said this, when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah at the Chief Justice’s Conference room in Accra.
SUSTAIN ADR TO REDUCE CASE LOADS IN COURTS
In the company of His Lordships Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie and Justice Nene Amegatcher of the Supreme Court, as well as the Judicial Secretary; Justice Cynthia Pamela Addo, the Chief Justice acknowledged the strides made so far, with the continuous endorsement of Court Connected ADR. He said ADR has come to stay, to reduce the case loads in the Courts.
Justice Anin Yeboah said, measures are being taken on how best to expand the Court Connected ADR scope, for every Ghanaian everywhere to access it and more importantly, sustain it, to achieve the desired impact. Adding, that ‘without ADR, our Courts will continue to be choked.’
VISION TO HAVE ADR IN ALL COURTS
The Chief Justice said, the intention is to have ADR Offices in all Courts, particularly the 80 new courts, which would be inaugurated across the country in the course of the year. He called for urgent assistance to expand ADR, in the area of training and logistics.
A Justice of the Supreme Court His Lordship Justice Nene Amegatcher, was full of praise for Professor Ernest Uwazie, for his leadership role since 1996, in facilitating trainings, and paying regular visits to Ghana to follow up on the progress of ADR. “ADR ACT (ACT 798) was passed by Parliament in 2010, thus has been institutionalized in the justice delivery system through your intervention”, he told the University Professor.
Professor Uwazie reaffirmed his institution’s support for the cause of ADR in Ghana. He informed the Chief Justice about the 2nd ‘Student Study Abroad Seminar Programme’ scheduled to take place in Ghana from July 13-23, with focus on Comparative/Restorative Justice. He hoped the Chief Justice will be available to meet with the students and the visiting team to exchange more ideas.