THE Ashaiman Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) settled 393 rent, debt recovery, land and marital disputes between January and June this year.
This represents a significant increase over the 334 disputes settled by the centre between January and December 2008.
The cases were received from Tema Township, Sakumono, Zeenu, Adjei Kojo, Kakasunaka No 1/2, all in the Tema Metropolis, Mataheko and Afienya in the Dangme West District.
Since its establishment in 2000, the centre has settled over 3,000 cases and this, according managers of the facility, is an indication that residents in and around Ashaiman and its environs are gradually embracing the ADR concept.
The centre’s half-year report signed by Messers Gabriel Atsu and Kingsley Kutiame and addressed to the President of the Centre for Conflict Resolution (CENSOR), noted that the ADR initiative had helped people who did not have the resources or inclination to seek justice in the law courts to obtain redress.
The report indicated that rent cases reported at the centre increased to 259 for the period, as against 136 recorded in the first quarter of 2008 and this was attributed to the increased demand by landlords for rent advance ranging from a minimum period of two to three years.
On disputes relating to child neglect and maintenance, the report indicated that divorce, loss of jobs, bankruptcy, as well as undue interference in marriages by extended family members, were the major contributing factors to the problem. It further expressed disappointment at the conduct of some men who often refused to comply with settlements reached during arbitration.
Land disputes, which are also frequent in the municipality, witnessed a significant increase during the period under review. The report indicated that land disputes mostly occurred when the same piece of land was sold to more than one buyer, making siblings to engage the services of land guards to protect their individual interests.
These cases, according to the report, are rampant in surrounding towns such as Adjei-Kojo, Zeenu, Kuberkro and Bethlehem. It also said as a result of such disputes, developers had encroached on some lands and built on watercourses.
The report said debt recovery cases continued to increase, due to the springing up of micro-finance institutions operating within the municipality.
It said although percentage interest rates charged on these loans were very high, urgent demands such as payment of school fees, petty trading and rent advances often compelled people to seek the services of these institutions. Some of them, however, were unable to comply with the repayment agreement.
The centre appealed to the municipal assembly, non-governmental organisations, as well as corporate financial institutions operating within the municipality to come to their aid through the provision of computers and other logistics to enhance its operations.
The report was optimistic that the early passage of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Bill and an amendment to the Rent Act, as a way of responding to the changing needs and conditions of the people, will positively impact on the operations of ADR centres.
The ADR concept is an innovation which uses trusted community leaders as mediators and arbitrators in the settlement of disputes in communities and municipalities across the country.
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