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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.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Intelligence Directorate has arrested two suspects in connection with a robbery attack on an Indian national in Obuasi and a separately planned robbery operation targeting a distribution company in the same area.
On April 16, 2026, Police received credible intelligence that a group of armed men were planning an attack in Obuasi. A police team moved swiftly into the area and arrested suspect Iddrisu Fuseini, also known as “Iddi”, at his hideout in Bedieso, Obuasi.
During interrogation, he confessed to being part of a six-member gang that attacked an Indian national at his residence at New Baakoyeden, Obuasi, on April 12 2026, robbing him of GH₵150,000.00.
He disclosed that the attack was orchestrated following a tip-off from suspect Ibrahim, an employee of the victim, who informed the gang that the victim kept large sums of money.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a second suspect, Shaibu Mohammed, also known as “SM” or “Cicinati”, on 20th April 2026 at his hideout in Gausu, Obuasi. During interrogation, he admitted to participating in the planning of the robbery and confirmed that the gang had further planned to rob a distribution company near Mawuli Hotel in Obuasi.
Investigations have further revealed that both suspects are currently standing trial at the Obuasi Circuit Court in connection with a separate robbery of GH₵600,000.00.
A manhunt is ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices, identified as Khalifa, Edward, Prof, Waddle, Ebbe, and Ibrahim, and to recover a pump action gun and a locally manufactured pistol believed to be in their possession.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
