Michael Okyere Baafi with Justice Janapare A. Bartels-Kwodwo
A Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, has reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to resolving business disputes efficiently, creating a favourable environment for business operations in the country .
He stressed the crucial role of the newly formed Business Regulatory Reforms (BRR) Programme Working Group, which aims to enhance dispute resolution and mediation, facilitating smoother trade activities.
Speaking at the BRR Programme – “Dispute Resolution” Reforms Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting at the AfCFTA Coordination Office in Accra, Mr. Okyere Baafi stated: “We at the Trade Ministry, through the BRR unit, are collaborating closely with the Judicial Service to establish clear indicators that will aid in resolving business disputes efficiently in the country.”
Ease of doing business
The Deputy Minister emphasised that nations strive to provide an easy business environment for investors. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to prompt and effective dispute resolution, ensuring satisfaction for all parties, and promoting a thriving business climate.
He lauded the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, for playing an influential and instrumental role in advancing the BRR, especially in court automation and other emerging initiatives.
“We highly commend the Chief Justice for her crucial role… The Ministry designed the BRR programme as part of the government’s agenda for industrial transformation. As a government, our objective is not to hinder businesses but to foster their growth to the fullest. We are committed to ensuring that business operations are hassle-free,” he stated.
According to him, the Ministry is also focused on improving dispute adjudication processes, starting with the successful automation of district courts.
“Now, efforts are being directed towards establishing a mediation centre, known as the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) setup. There are additional dispute resolution mechanisms we need to develop,” Mr. Baafi added.
Institutional overlaps
Addressing concerns about potential institutional overlaps following the BRR initiative, the Deputy Trade Minister clarified that the Business Regulatory Reform unit, established in 2017 within the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is essential for simplifying and easing business operations.
“With this working group, the Ministry of Trade and Industry expects them to do a good job in the areas of dispute resolution and other mediations that will help us adjudicate matters easily to enhance trade in this country. And whenever I see stakeholders from the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) involved, it reassures me that we are building strong relationships and will continue to improve the business environment,” he stated.
Judicial service delivery
For her part, Justice Janapare A. Bartels-Kwodwo, of the Court of Appeal, on behalf of the Chief Justice, stressed the critical role of these reforms in enhancing judicial service delivery for businesses.
She highlighted the necessity of effective dispute-resolution mechanisms to foster a more efficient and reliable judicial system.
According to her, streamlining dispute resolution processes is essential for improving the business climate and ensuring swift justice.
She pointed out that the reforms discussed at the TWG meeting aim to reduce delays, lower litigation costs, and provide clearer procedural guidelines.
These measures are expected to benefit businesses by creating a more predictable and fair legal environment, which is crucial for economic growth and stability.
Justice Bartels-Kwodwo indicated that the success of these reforms depend on collaborative efforts and continuous dialogue among all stakeholders.
She, therefore, called for sustained commitment to the reform agenda to ensure that the judicial system meets the evolving needs of the business community.
She reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to advancing these reforms, viewing them as a cornerstone for a more robust and business-friendly legal framework.
The BRR programme
The BRR “Dispute Resolution” Reforms TWG meeting seeks to improve the quality and transparency of regulatory administration in Ghana, create a predictable business regulatory environment conducive to private sector development, and make Ghana the most business-friendly country in Africa.
It consists of components such as Targeted Business Environment Reforms, an Electronic Registry of Business Laws & Regulations, Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), a Portal for Public Consultations on Business Regulations, Rolling Reviews of Business Laws and Regulations, Targeted Regulatory Relief for SMEs, and a Public-Private Dialogue (PPD) Mechanism.
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