Koforidua, Feb 18, GNA - The Judicial Service of Ghana on Wednesday held a public forum on Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (AD= R) for a cross section of the people in Koforidua.

The forum, which was under the theme "Court Connected ADR: Access to=

Justice Made Simpler", was aimed at sensitizing the people on the advanta= ges of the new judicial culture that has emerged to supplement the work of th= e court.

Justice Marful-Sau, Justice of Appeal and Judge in charge of Court-Connected ADR of the Judicial Service, in an address said the Court-Connected ADR had proved to be cheaper, faster, efficient and friendlier in its application and use.

To him ADR in its strict sense was not new in Africa, adding that, i= t was the revised form of the traditional method of dispute settlement practiced by chiefs and family heads.

"The time has now come for our chiefs and family heads to visit thei= r roots, polish and apply the African dispute resolution mechanisms as part= of their contribution towards justice delivery in our country". Justice Marful Sau mentioned some advantages of Court-Connected ADR over litigation as, helping to reduce the cases in court, and providing a=

healthier method for resolving disputes, among other things. He said it was those basic prepositions, which explained the steady growth and development of ADR in the courts.

"This is a new product that the judicial service is marketing and calling on all stakeholders to come on board to access justice in a march=

simpler and cost effective way".

He urged court users to embrace that opportunity by opting for ADR i= n appropriate cases in court, to help with the speedy disposal of cases. "By this, we shall restore confidence in our justice delivery system= , and promote good governance and the rule of law, all of which lead to sustained economic growth". Mr Musa Sulemana, a district magistrate, who chaired the function, observed that the introduction of the ADR had greatly reduced cases at th= e courts to the barest minimum. To him the ADR had come to save them from the trouble of sitting lon= g hours to hear case and said judges were happy with the process.