Arrangements are underway to provide training for traditional and religious leaders nationwide on basic legal principles and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), to enable them effectively settle disputes in their various areas. This was revealed by Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo on the first day of her four-day tour of courts in the Central Region.

Ms. Akuffo who was addressing traditional authorities at Swedru after her tour Monday, July 10 said the move was targeted at easing the pressure and reducing the accumulation of cases in the country’s courts.

She bemoaned the situation where justice is delayed innocent persons because cases take several years in the various courts before settlements are reached.

“There’s a lot of training we are giving the judges, both old and new on better case management and better alternative dispute resolution. When it happens like that, all of you can help in resolving petty disputes before they are transferred to the courts”, she said.



She continued, “We are also making plans to train traditional leaders on basic principles and dispute resolution so that it makes it legal such that when u are successful with court cases and the issues are brought to court, it can be registered in the court as a judicial decision. It will help reduce the backlog of cases in court if disputes are settled in the chief’s palace, church, etc. The only cases that won’t apply to this will be criminal cases, in such instances, the courts will have to deal directly with them”.