Professional Summary Alternative Dispute Resolution Practitioner with over eight years of experience successfully settling disputes between feuding parties after the course in ADR. Resourceful in gathering relevant information regarding disputes, providing appropriate documentation, and guiding both individuals and groups to reach satisfactory agreements and settle complicated issues. Dedicated Mediator with an extensive background in ADR processes. Excellent at protecting clients and resolving cases using in-dept understanding of the alternative dispute resolution processes and experiences. Strengths include resolving marital disputes, child custody, landlord/tenant disputes, land litigation, interpersonal conflicts, group conflicts. Developing creative solutions to complex issues. Festus has over thirty years of experience in international development work having worked on the following donor-supported agriculture projects: AfDB/Food Crops Development Project, AfDB/Inland Valleys Rice Development, AfDB Cashew Development Project, AfDB NERICA Rice Development Project, AfDB/Afram Plains Agriculture Development Project, AfDB/Livestock Development Project, GIZ-Market Oriented Agriculture Development Project, USAID supported Agriculture Policy Support Project and currently working as Partnership and Project Manager with the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI). Working with public and private institutions to eliminate child and forced labour in Ghanaian cocoa and gold mining. Festus is also a traditional ruler over 20 years and uses the knowledge, skills, attitude, and ethics in ADR in handling disputes in my area of jurisdiction and the church in which I worship. Skills • Dispute management • Teamwork and collaboration • Conflict mediation • Cultural Awareness/ customary practices • Decision-making • Analytical & critical thinking • Interviewing • Deductive thinking • Organization • ADR Professional Ethics understanding • Agreement preparation • Effective communication/ listening Summary of Education and Experiences Festus holds a Master’s of Social Science Research Degree with specialization in Development Planning and Community Studies from the University of Tromso, Norway, an Organizations and Systems Development Practitioner’s Certificate from Organizations Development Centre, Ghana/ Organization and Systems Development Gestalt Institute of Cleveland & Gestalt International Study Centre – Wellfleet, Massachusetts, U.S A., a Certified Change Management Certificate from Picourseware, South Africa/PROSCI and Change Management Learning Centre, Garfield Avenue, Loveland, U.S.A. Festus also holds an Advanced Diploma in Project Management from Development Training International, Mbabane, Swaziland, a Diploma in Human Resources Development from Aarhus Technical Institute, Denmark., a Professional Executive Master in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the Institute of Paralegal and Leadership Studies, Accra, Ghana. Membership of Professional Association: Certified Member of the Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAPP) since November 2015 with membership No. GNAAP 17015 Professional Training in ADR Course • 2015 Executive Professional Master in Alternative Dispute Resolution (EMADR) at the Institute of Paralegal & Leadership Training, Accra. • Participated in Ghana National Association of ADR Practitioners (GNAAP) mandatory continuing professional development workshops in 2015, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2023. Other Relevant Educational Qualifications • 1994 Master of Philosophy (Social Science) Degree (Specialization in Development Planning and Community Studies), University of Tromso, Norway. • 1992 B. A. Sociology, University of Tromso, Norway. • 1986 B. A. Combined (Hons) Linguistics & Russian, University of Ghana, Legon – Ghana. • October 2011 Certified Change Management Practitioner’s Certificate from PROSCI and Change Management Learning Centre, Garfield Avenue, Loveland, U.S.A in collaboration with PICOURSEWARE, Johannesburg, South Africa. • August 2008 to November 2009 Certified Professional Practitioner Certificate in Organization and Systems Development by Gestalt Institute of Cleveland – Ohio, U.S.A & Gestalt International Study Centre - Wellfleet, Massachusetts, U.S.A in collaboration with Organizations Development Centre, Accra, Ghana. • 2006 Advanced Diploma in Project Management, Development Training International (Dti), Mbabane, Swaziland. • 1998 Certificate in Human Resources Development, International Association for Education, Training and Work, UK. • 1997 Diploma in Human Resource Development Aarhus Technical College, Aarhus, Denmark. • 1976 Post Secondary Teachers’ Certificate A from the St. Francis Training College, Hohoe, Volta Region Experience Alternative Dispute Practitioner – 2015 to date • Resolved over 100 disputes. • Assessed conflicts by analyzing all aspects and sides of situation with impartial viewpoint and consideration of applicable understanding of the situation and the Law. • Negotiated settlements and agreements between parties by providing mutual support and driving resolutions. • Leads dispute resolutions using effective problem-solving skills and guiding mutual understanding of opposing viewpoints. • Devised innovative approaches and targeted solutions for each case to achieve mutually satisfactory resolutions. • Utilized proven methods of dispute resolution by fostering understanding of opposing party’s perspective. • Authored settlement agreement document containing resolutions and obtained from both parties to finalize agreements. • Educated disputants on regulations and procedures applying to cases and potential legal roadblocks for proposed solutions. • Conduct personal and strictly confidential meetings between parties, utilizing empathic listening skills and documenting relevant detail