Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3240 (Paper) ISSN 2224-3259 (Online) Vol.71, 2018 25 An Examination of Commercial International Dispute Resolution Framework in Ghana and the United Kingdom Arbitration System Augustine Adu Frimpong 1 Carine Abiranjoh-Abam 2 Emmanuel Addai Kyeremeh 3 1.The Nelson Mandela Institute for Research: Southern University and A & M College, Public Policy Dept. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Or/ Valley View University, Techiman Campus, Box 183, Brong- Ahafo Region, Ghana and/or 2.The Nelson Mandela Institute for Research: Southern University and A & M College, Public Policy Dept. Baton Rouge, Louisiana 3.Valley View University, Techiman Campus, Box 183, Brong- Ahafo Region, Ghana Abstract Over the last decade, the Administration of Justice through the Ghana’s regular courts has encountered with a lot of international commercial activity problems. Among them are constant delays. An attempt to eliminate these delays and ensure faster justice delivery has seen the importance of arbitration in Ghana. The expedition for speedy and vigorous implementation, resulting in more efficiency in contract drafting, has at all times dominated international commercial dealings. Hence the need for resorting to arbitration is more compelling, overlooking the lethargic attitude of Ghanaian courts, to the resolution of sophisticated commercial disputes. The study therefore examined commercial international dispute resolution framework in Ghana and the United Kingdom arbitration system. The paper used stratified random sampling technique to sample 100 respondents for the data analyses. The study underscored that the commercial arbitration (both international and local) was in common use of resolving commercial dispute. Also, the study further posited that commercial arbitration (both local and international) is more effective in resolving commercial disputes as compared to the traditional courts systems. Finally, the study recommended that when adjudicating over disputes that have foreign elements, the Ghana’s judicial officers must approach it with prudence, most especially when the issues before relates to public policy. Keywords: Trade, Law, Arbitration, Resolution, Commercial Markets, and Disputes Introduction Arbitration is an adjudicative system of resolving disputes where parties by consent submit their dispute before a neutral third party to seek his decision. The consent of the parties to present their dispute for arbitration is the first and basic necessity in order to exhaust the procedure (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Arbitration Rules, 1976). Considering the extent to which Ghana’s international commercial activities are on the increase and the need to sustain it for effective growth, her neighbouring sister commercial markets and the indisputable right of international parties to resolve disputes through arbitration, there is the need to have a second look at commercial dispute resolution framework in Ghana. On July 8, 1968, the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards came into existence of which Ghana is a member. No declarations or notifications were made under articles I, X and XI of the New York Convention. Also, the country is a party to many international conventions such as the International Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) of 1966 and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). The recently enacted Alternative Dispute Resolution Act, 2010 (Act 798) (Arbitration Act or law) provides a platform for the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Undeniably, the administration of justice through Ghana regular courts has to deal with a lot of international commercial activities problems. Among them are constant delays. An attempt to eliminate these delays and ensure faster justice delivery has seen the importance of arbitration in Ghana. The quest for quick and brisk implementation, resulting in more efficiency and economy in contract drafting, has always dominated international commercial transactions; hence the need for resorting to arbitration is more compelling, overlooking the lethargic attitude of Ghanaian courts, to the resolution of sophisticated commercial disputes. This current study seeks to examine the processes through which there has been an implementation of international commercial arbitration legalities in Ghana and assess its effectiveness of resolving commercial disputes. The critical work analyses the legal frameworks in Ghana and its efficacy as well as a comparative study of the International Dispute Resolution Framework between Ghana and the United Kingdom. An effective resolution of commercial disputes is mandatory to strengthening Ghana as the bedrock of sustainable platform for conflict resolution within the business sector in sub-Saharan Africa. The work thus takes a second look at our national courts towards the enforcement of the foreign arbitral award.