The Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS) has held its 5th graduation ceremony for graduates of Professional Executive Masters in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on Saturday 27th July, 2019.

The graduands include, the clergy, chiefs, development consultants, police and military officers, Directors of State institutions, NGOs, senior public servants, private businessmen/ businesswomen among others.

Chairman for the occasion, Mr. Robert Safo Mensah, who doubles as President of Ghana National Association of ADR practitioners (GNAAP), urged the graduands to discharge their duties and responsibilities in a professional manner, to enhance Ghana’s justice delivery system.

He continued, “The ADR Practice is required in all spheres of life because conflict exist in every aspect of society, in the church, workplace etc and you are required to handle disputes in a professional manner”.

On his part, Mr Benjamin Arthur, who represented the Executive Director of IPLS, advised the graduands to commit themselves to the promoting of ADR as the preferred tool for dispute Resolution in the country.

According to him, ADR remains an untapped area for dispute resolution, stressing that more ADR professionals have to be trained to promote the benefit of ADR.

Mr Alex Nartey, the Life Patron of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners, encouraged the graduands to be more active in the activities of GNAAP to improve the organization.

Taking his turn to address the ceremony, President-Elect of GNAAP, Mr Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, commended the out-going Board of Directors of GNAAP, for "laying a strong foundation for GNAAP to take off’’.

He encouraged the graduands to use their diverse competencies to move GNAAP forward in the promotion of ADR to build peace in all spheres of our national life.

He described Ghana as a country with the potential to become an ADR hub and the destination for conflict resolution in Africa and the sub-region.

“Ghana is a peaceful country with an enduring democracy and a hospitable society which can be harnessed to turn our country into a hub for conflict resolution for Africa and the sub-region,” Mr. Owusu-Koranteng added.

He encouraged the graduands to apply the professional knowledge in ADR they have acquired in their training to contribute to peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Mrs Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, who spoke on behalf of the graduands, thanked Lecturers and staff for working hard to prepare them for their professional ADR practice.

She assured the institute that they will abide by the ethics of the ADR profession and dedicate themselves to the strengthening of GNAAP for the achievement of ideals of the professional association.

The graduands donated a mower to the institute.