Participants Being Trained Are From 4 Counties
By Peter Alwaysthanksful Darblo
TUBMANBURG, Liberia- The Ministry of Justice, through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program has launched a three-day training workshop aimed at strengthening community-based justice delivery across Liberia.
“The Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism offers a fair, timely, and peaceful means of resolving conflicts without overreliance on the formal court system,” the Ministry says.
The training, currently underway here, brings together Civil Society Organization (CSO) actors, community leaders, and justice practitioners from several parts of the country.
The workshop has attracted more than fifty participants drawn from Margibi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, and the host county, Bomi.
Participants include traditional leaders, local authorities, community mediators, and other justice actors who play a critical role in resolving disputes and maintaining peace at the grassroots level.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the primary objective of the training is to enhance access to justice for ordinary citizens, particularly those living in rural and underserved communities.
Organizers of the workshop explained that the use of ADR not only reduces the workload on the courts but also saves time and financial resources for citizens.
“ADR helps preserve relationships, strengthen social cohesion, and promote sustainable peace and harmony within our communities,” organizers emphasized.
ADR critical in the justice system
Speaking at the launch of the training, Mr. Gobah Anderson, Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist at the Justice Ministry, read the official statement on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh.
In the statement, the Minister underscored the critical importance of ADR in Liberia’s justice architecture.
“Alternative Dispute Resolution is a vital tool for promoting peace, harmony, and peaceful coexistence among our people,” the statement read.
Mr. Anderson further quoted the Justice Minister as saying, “ADR empowers communities to manage conflicts constructively while fostering mutual understanding and mutual respect among disputing parties.”
According to the statement, the Minister noted that “investment in ADR is an investment in peace, because it enables communities to resolve conflicts effectively and build stronger, more united neighborhoods.”
He further stressed that sustainable peace and national development cannot be achieved without justice, adding that “access to justice remains the surest pathway to long-term stability and national progress.”
Mr. Anderson also highlighted the significance of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2025, noting that the law provides strong legal backing for the recognition and advancement of traditional and customary justice practices in Liberia.
“The ADR Act of 2025 serves as a cornerstone of our efforts to formalize and institutionalize alternative dispute resolution as a complementary component of Liberia’s justice system,” he said.
He explained that the legislation bridges the gap between formal and informal justice systems, ensuring that community-based dispute resolution mechanisms operate within a recognized legal framework while upholding human rights and the rule of law.
“The Ministry is confident that this training will significantly reduce community conflicts and strengthen peacebuilding efforts across the country,” the statement concluded.