Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, has launched a book titled: “Alternative Dispute Resolution – Ghanaian perspective” at the Law Courts Complex in Accra.
The 433 paged book, was co-authored by Justices Sir Dennis Dominic and Mrs. Frances Barbara Ackah-Yensu, both Court of Appeal Judges.
The book, which pays careful attention to detail, excellent organisation of ideas and could influence the practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ghana, could serve as quick reference for ADR practitioners -Judges, Magistrates, lawyers, and the academia.
It touches on topics such as Dispute Settlement, Litigation versus ADR, ADR and Criminal Justice System, Customary Arbitration among others.
Speaking at the Launch, Chief Justice Yeboah said ADR continued to gain popularity because it avoided conflicts and same brought hope to parties in dispute.
Commending the two authors for their efforts in championing the good course of justice delivery, the Chief Justice said, the book threw more light on issues that could be resolved under ADR.
Justice Yeboah said the book “is a must-read one because it is well-researched and same was a body of knowledge for all practitioners in the legal fraternity.”
Additionally, he said the book discussed several court issues as well as offers a one-stop shop on ADR and its procedures.
Professor Mike Aaron Ocquaye, former Speaker of Parliament, drew a distinction between ADR and Ghana adversarial system, noting that, the adversarial system had broken families apart and these families had also extended the hostilities to lawyers.
Prof. Ocquaye said ADR had taken care of delays in cases and that the law should be an instrument for social and economic engineering.
Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, commended Justice Adjei for publishing five books within three years.
Mr Dame also praised Justice Ackah-Yensu for her sense of fairness in her excellent judgements.
According to the AG, the importance of ADR could not be overemphasized, adding that, the book provided explanations to various concepts of ADR.
Nana Prof S.K.B Asante, Chairman of Ghana Arbitration Centre, who chaired the occasion lauded the authors for their scholarly analysis saying, “this is a must-read book for judges, students, lawyers and the public.”
The first book was sold at GHC17,000.
