Mathew Yekinan Duut, Executive Director of Aid for Peace, Rural Education and Development Ghana, has been inducted as a certified Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioner and fully accredited mediator, strengthening efforts to promote peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Northern Ghana.
Mr Duut was among 70 newly certified ADR practitioners inducted during the 13th Annual Conference of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners held at the University of Ghana School of Law in Legon, Accra.
The conference was organised on the theme: “Transforming Justice Delivery in Ghana: Advancing ADR, Technology, and Ethical Standards for Sustainable National Development.”
Speaking after the induction ceremony, Mr Duut described the recognition as a major milestone in his professional and leadership journey, noting that it would enhance his work in mediation, dialogue facilitation and conflict prevention within vulnerable communities.
He said the certification reinforced his commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence, especially in underserved areas across Northern Ghana where disputes over land, chieftaincy and community relations often threaten development.
According to him, dialogue, mediation and ethical leadership remained critical tools for addressing tensions and building stronger, more united communities.
The conference brought together legal experts, ADR practitioners, academics, policymakers, civil society organisations and peacebuilding actors to explore innovative approaches to justice delivery and conflict resolution in Ghana.
The event was attended by representatives of the Special Guest of Honour, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, and the Guest Speaker, Francis Kofi Korankye-Sakyi.
Participants stressed the growing importance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, ethical leadership and technology-driven systems in strengthening Ghana’s justice delivery system and promoting sustainable national development.
Mr Duut said the induction also reflected the increasing role young leaders and civil society organisations were playing in advancing peace, justice and social cohesion across the country.
He expressed appreciation to the Association for the recognition and pledged to use ADR mechanisms to support peacebuilding initiatives, community engagement and inclusive development.
The conference ended with calls for stronger collaboration among ADR practitioners, institutions and development partners to strengthen ethical dispute resolution systems and deepen national unity through dialogue and mediation.
APRED-Ghana is a youth-led community-based organisation focused on peacebuilding, rural education, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment and community development initiatives across Northern Ghana.
