Three members from the Ministry of Justice in Rwanda have undergone a training programme in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
The training at the Global Institute of ADR Centre (GIAC) at Kasoa in the Central Region was customised for Rwanda’s justice sector leaders and ADR practitioners.
They undertook a Professional Executive Certificate in Alternative Measures to Imprisonment, ADR Policy, Leadership and Mediation.
The three who underwent the training are Ruboya Antoine, Ushizimpumu Sylvere and Mazimpaka Eddy.
As part of the training, they undertook study visits that exposed them to Ghana’s justice and ADR systems.
They were conferred with Professional Executive Certificate in Alternative Measures to Imprisonment, Professional Executive Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Policy, Advanced Leadership, and Mediation and Professional Executive Certificate in ADR.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training, the Executive Director of the GIAC, John Quansah, described the training as a new and ambitious programme that was carefully customised for Rwanda’s justice sector leaders and ADR practitioners.
For over 18 days, including weekends, Mr Quansah said the participants engaged in 14 intensive study sessions, exploring ADR policy, leadership in conflict management, mediation techniques, restorative justice practices and alternative measures to imprisonment.
“I recall vividly our visit to the Kasoa District Court, where you interacted with the magistrate judge and learned about how ADR in Ghana is helping to address the backlog of cases and promote timely justice.
We also had the honour of meeting the Paramount Queen of the Awutu Traditional Area, who shared the richness of customary arbitration, the types of disputes handled and the cultural wisdom embedded in traditional dispute resolution.
“At the Legal Aid Commission, you observed mediation sessions and had the privilege of interacting with the experienced director of the commission, who explained how access to justice is being advanced in Ghana.
At the Ngleshie Amanfro Court in the Ga South Municipal, you witnessed a court-connected ADR mediation session, where theory met practice right before your eyes,” he said.
“These experiences enriched the training far beyond the classroom.
They allowed you to see the ADR not only as a concept, but as a living system that works daily to bring peace, reduce conflict and strengthen justice,” he said.
Document
Mr Quansah said that each certificate received was more than just a document; it symbolised their commitment to justice, peace, and innovation, as well as their courage to think differently about resolving disputes.
“This is only the beginning. What you take away from here must now be applied in Rwanda.
Whether in courts, policy-making, mediation rooms or community settings, you have the tools to promote ADR as a faster, fairer and more sustainable pathway to justice.
“You carry with you skills and the responsibility to share knowledge, mentor others and champion reforms that will make justice more accessible to all.
“On behalf of the GIAC, I want to express profound gratitude to the Ministry of Justice of Rwanda for entrusting us with this important mission.
Your vision, partnership and commitment to capacity building are why we celebrate today.
Together, we have proven that collaboration across borders is possible and powerful,” he said.
Roadmap
Mr Ruboya, who is the Justice, ADR, Legal Awareness and Monitoring Specialist at the Ministry of Justice of Rwanda, on behalf of his colleagues, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in ADR.
He stated that the ADR policy in Rwanda was adopted in September 2022.
It was a roadmap for Rwanda to continuously improve, coordinate and expand the use of alternative dispute resolution to all dimensions of life in Rwanda.
“Although people appear to have a high reliance on litigation in courts, overall, they are very often dissatisfied with it and would prefer the dispute resolution processes in which all stakeholders may participate and dialogue to reach a mutual understanding in the form of a resolution.
“Where such mutual resolution processes have been well defined, well structured and functioning, there wouldn’t be any doubts that more would resort to those alternatives and thereby abandon the litigations through the ordinary court systems and Ghana is a good example we can testify through our study tour to the courts, palaces and the Legal Aid Commission,” he said.
He described the knowledge gained from the centre as a full package that will be shared to speed up the use of ADR mechanisms in Rwanda.
‘’Ghana’s legal framework and ADR implementation are inspiring.
On the other side, Rwanda is technologically more advanced in the legal system and will help speed up the implementation of the acquired knowledge,” he stated.
