Nana Oppong Agyei Sikapa, the Krontihene of Temante in the Kumawu Traditional Area, has charged approximately 80 new graduates of the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS) – Ghana to become agents of peace and change.

Speaking at the institute's second graduation event of the year on Saturday, June 30, 2024, the traditional leader urged the graduates to contribute effectively to national development through their roles as mediators.

"Let us be assimilated agents of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) professionals so that, as we venture out, something great will emerge from us. I know we are people of peace, but let your professional training also make you an agent of peace.

"I stand on these cardinal pillars: being an agent of peace and equally an agent of change. Wherever two or more are gathered there is likely chaos, anarchy, and disharmony, conflict will inevitably arise, misunderstandings will occur, and disagreements will surface. That is why, as professionals, we are now being sent out to be agents of change and peace," he stated.

He emphasized the graduates' responsibility to adhere to their duties as mediators and negotiators, rather than becoming purveyors of solutions.

A former student of the institute, Nana Oppong Agyei Sikapa, highlighted the importance of ADR education and implored the graduates to apply their skills empathetically to their clients, without letting emotions dictate their actions.

Alex Nartey, the National ADR Coordinator for the Judicial Service, stressed the need for collaboration in national development.

He referred to Ghana's current parliament's failure to use its hung division to foster effective collaboration for national development.

"The day I saw the hung nature of parliament, I called all my friends with whom I discuss politics and governance and told them that Ghana had a breakthrough and we were going to have quality deliberations in parliament for the general good of Ghana. But the hung parliament couldn't achieve that; we have faced some of the worst economic challenges with a hung parliament, and we never saw them reason over our challenges. It has not been exemplary at all because Ghanaians generally lack an interest-based approach to handling issues. We are always emotional, and when emotions peak, wisdom vanishes," he stated.

He charged the graduates to go out and contribute to national growth through their services.

"Partisanship does not develop a country; it is collaboration and objectivity, and that is what ADR provides its practitioners. So as you go, show them the way, tell your colleagues that we cannot achieve anything without team spirit. Democracy means nothing if team spirit is not applied in engaging social partners. By virtue of this orientation, we expect that you will positively influence our society for growth," he stated.

The graduates, divided into four groups, were awarded certificates for their various courses, including Professional Executive Master in ADR, Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies, and Executive Certificate in ADR.

In her advice to the graduates, Godslove Korkor Nartey, the Rector of IPLS, urged them to adhere to the duties of their training and not to pose as lawyers.

"The message I have for you is to be trustworthy and not to present yourselves as lawyers. Go out as facilitators of disputes, and our paralegal students should not present themselves as lawyers but as paralegals who are very beneficial to lawyers," she stated.

She also encouraged members of the public to consider ADR as an alternative for resolving non-criminal cases amendable through mediation.

GA

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