The National Labour Commission is organizing a three-day training / sensitization program on Mediation and Arbitration Procedures, Drafting of Mediation Agreements and Writing of Arbitration Awards for Mediators and Arbitrators from 15th -17th October, 2019 at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ridge, Accra.
The three-day program is being held in collaboration with The Judicial Training Institute (JTI). The Program aims at engaging practitioners and experts in Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations Management, Business Administration and Law, among others, who desire to serve as Mediators and Arbitrators of the National Labour Commission.
The Program will create a platform for participants to engage and share knowledge and also equip them with requisite skills needed in discharging their functions effectively in support of the NLC’s work.
It is expected that, at the end of the program participants will:
- Appreciate the role of NLC as a quasi- judicial body which was established to ensure effective implementation of the Labour Law through the promotion and protection of the rights and responsibilities of employers and employees by ensuring fairness in managing the employment relationship.
- Understand the mediation process and how to review each case based on its dynamics, circumstances and expectations as well as needs and interests of the disputing parties and successfully guide them to reach a mutual agreement.
- Know how to assist disputing parties’ bridge their differences and engage in a conversation that will facilitate settlement under the guidance of skilled mediators.
- Know how to draft a mediation agreement which is fundamentally different in content, style and language from any other legal document due to the unique nature of each mediation agreement since it is created by the parties themselves as a result of their specific differences and the kind of mediation process they engaged in.
The Commission will also launch a Professional Code of Conduct for Mediators and Arbitrators as part of the program to guide and regulate the mediation and arbitration proceedings conducted under the ambit of NLC.
His Lordship, Justice Dennis Adjei, Justice of the Court of Appeal and Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI) will take participants through Constitutional and Statutory Rights and Overview of Conflicts and General Overview of Alternative Disputes Resolution, Act 798, Observing the Rules of Natural Justice in the exercise of Powers conferred by Act 65 and Raising of Issues, Evidence Gathering and Effective use of Evidence.
Ms. Diana Asonaba, a Legal Practitioner, Law Lecturer and ADR expert will also take participants through key areas such as:
- Difference between Mediation and Arbitration
- Understanding positions and interests in Arbitration
- Effective Communication in Mediation and Arbitration.
Mr. Patrice Fidelis Seddoh, Member, NLC will talk on the relevance of Mediation and Arbitration in the work of NLC.
Dr. Bernice Welbeck, Administration and H/R Director-NLC will present the overview.
Mr. Andrew K. Asamoah, Chairman of the Commission will officially open the three-day session.