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Make Ghana ADR hub in West Africa, Africa – Pres Akufo-Addo
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioners in Ghana to strive towards ensuring that Ghana, as has been achieved in other areas, becomes the regional hub of settling disputes via ADR.
President Akufo-Addo is confident that, the establishment of an ADR centre, 14 years after the promulgation of the ADR act 798, will further provide a viable opportunity for multi million dollar commercial disputes and cases involving the use of the state’s valuable natural resources to be resolved in Ghana in a very wholesome environment, and will also enable ADR practitioners, particularly members of the Ghana Bar Association to sharpen their skills in the resolution of such disputes.
Accordingly, the nation’s strong democratic credentials, a liberal and open economy, and an environment conducive to business in general, coupled with the nation’s strong judicial system and pro-arbitration courts, give it a big advantage in the race to be the arbitration nerve centre in the whole of Africa and in West Africa, in particular. Our neighbouring countries should find Ghana, a safe haven for the resolution of disputes, just as they do for investment.
This, he added, “shall propel Ghana to be an arbitration hub in Africa, particularly in West Africa.”
President Akufo-Addo said this when he, pursuant to section 1181 of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2010, (Act 789), inaugurated the Governing Board of the Alternative Resolution Centre into office at the Jubilee House in Accra.
Chaired by the respected retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Victor Jones Mawulom Dotse, who was nominated by the President alongside Mrs Efua Ghartey, the membership also includes Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi, from the Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Michael Gyang Owusu, from the Ghana Bar Association, Surv. Jose Nicco-Annan, from the Ghana Institute of Surveyors, Her Ladyship Angelina Mensah-Homiah, from the Judiciary, Ms Joyce Adu, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Mrs Philomena Aba Sampson, a representative from Organised labour.
President Akufo-Addo, noted that ADR mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration and negotiation provide parties with the opportunity to resolve their disputes, amicably preserving relationships and fostering a culture of dialogue and understanding.
These methods have proven to be effective in several jurisdictions around the world, and he was confident it would yield similar benefits here in Ghana.
Describing it as a new chapter in civil litigation in Ghana, the President alluded to the several times and occasions when and where, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and the Private Enterprise Federation (PEF) have all called for the introduction of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, particularly arbitration to alleviate the congestion in the courts and to enhance expertise and specialisation in certain areas of the law especially commercial law, investment law, energy law and natural resources law.
He commended the current Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo, and the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, for their diligence in bringing the centre into being, and again commended the office of the Attorney General for effectively advocating Ghana’s interests on the international stage and achieving favourable outcomes to various arbitration proceedings, resulting in little or no cost to the nation.
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
