Victim Offender Mediation in Ghana: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward.

Victim Offender Mediation (VOM) is a mechanism of alternative justice. It is founded on the principles of restorative justice, which attempts to create an opportunity where offenders and the victims of their offence can dialogue, discuss accountability for actions, and reconcile. Employing the doctrinal research methodology, this article analysed the legal framework and challenges associated with VOM in Ghana. The study examines existing legal provisions, such as the Courts Act 1993 (Act 459) and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act 2010 (Act 798), which support mediation in criminal cases. While VOM provides significant benefits, including victim empowerment, offender rehabilitation, and community healing, its implementation in Ghana faces obstacles such as legislative gaps, public scepticism, resource constraints, and cultural barriers. To enhance VOM, the article recommends enacting specific legislation, increasing public awareness, training mediators, and establishing evaluation mechanisms. Collaboration among key stakeholders is critical for integrating VOM into the Ghanaian criminal justice system. This study offers insights into how VOM can serve as a restorative justice tool in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]