Accra: Ghana stands at a crossroads, needing visionary, patriotic, and selfless leaders to utilize the nation's abundant resources to forge a robust and developed future. Mr. Daniel Owusu-Koranteng, President of the Ghana National Association of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practitioners, emphasized this necessity during a graduation ceremony for 106 participants, including chiefs, from three Executive Master's programs at the GNAT Hall in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Owusu-Koranteng's remarks came at the culmination of programs offered by the Institute of Paralegal Training and Leadership Studies (IPLS), which included Professional Executive Master in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Professional Executive Master in General Paralegal Studies, and Professional Executive Master in Chieftaincy Law and Development Studies. As a trade unionist, mining advocate, and human rights activist, he highlighted the nation's potential, underscoring the importance of leadership that promotes honesty and patriotism among citizens.
Mr. Owusu-Koranteng addressed the deficiency in leadership prioritizing national interest over personal gain, urging the use of Ghana's natural resources and talents for national development. He praised IPLS for its role in equipping professionals to contribute positively to society and encouraged the graduates to advocate for peace, honesty, patriotism, and ethical ADR principles.
He also warned against collaborating with foreign interests to exploit the country's resources at future generations' expense. 'I charge you to go out and contribute to peacebuilding and the overall development of our nation. Be peacemakers and proud citizens who will not sell their conscience and country for a pittance,' he added.
Professor Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa, Associate Professor at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of effective conflict resolution for nation-building. He noted that resolved conflicts lead to stability, which attracts investment, and urged the graduates to use their expertise to promote social cohesion. He also advocated for the establishment of conflict resolution clubs in schools, churches, and workplaces.
Mr. Alex Nartey, a lawyer and founder of IPLS, observed the widespread nature of conflicts in various social settings and the lack of sufficient mediators in Ghana to address these issues. He called for an urgent need to train and equip conflict mediators to foster cohesion and productivity and highlighted the courts' need for mediators to support the ADR system effectively.
Mrs. Afua Brown, Rector of IPLS, noted that over 200 people graduated from the institute last year, equipped not only with technical skills but also emotional intelligence to handle conflicts constructively.
