The Executive Director at the Global Institute of ADR Centre, John Quansah, has underscored the need for disputing parties to endeavour to embrace alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to resolve their issues.

“We live in an age of increasing conflict. Families are breaking apart. Businesses are collapsing because of disputes. Communities are divided. Yet ADR provides hope, options, solutions and peace,” he said.

Over the years, he said his involvement in ADR had taught him that conflict was not the problem and that the inability to manage conflict effectively was the problem.

“I have witnessed families reconciled, businesses restored and communities transformed through dialogue and mediation.”

“People want to be heard, respected, and treated fairly.

One of the greatest skills of an ADR practitioner is the ability to listen.

Listening creates trust, reduces tension and opens doors to understanding. ADR helps businesses preserve relationships, reduce costs, and maintain productivity.

Every successful mediation contributes to economic growth and stability,” he said.

Graduation

Mr Quansah was speaking at the graduation of the October 2025 and February 2026 cohorts of the GIAC in Accra last Saturday.

In all, 17 participants graduated, of whom 15 earned the Professional Executive Master's in ADR and two earned the Professional Executive Certificate in ADR.

The event was on the theme: "Bridging Theory and Practice in ADR: Creating Meaningful Impact for Society, Businesses and Individuals"

ADR, Mr Quansah said, created opportunities for healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation and that every family restored strengthens society. 

He said every community dispute resolved peacefully contributed to national development.

Qualities

He mentioned five qualities of ADR as integrity, patience, neutrality, effective communication and continuous learning.

“GIAC remains committed to advancing ADR education and practice.

Through training, mediation services, community outreach, and partnerships, we continue to contribute to peace, justice, and sustainability,” he said.

Mr Quansah told the graduands to imagine the impact if every graduand at the event resolved 10 disputes peacefully within the next year.

“Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

The certificate you receive today is not a destination; it is a responsibility.

It is a call to service and leadership.”

“Go out and become ambassadors of ADR. Promote mediation, negotiation, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence wherever you find yourselves,” he said.