2.11.9 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) The ADR is assisting in reducing the backlog of cases in the law courts. The programme settled 1,831 cases in 2011, up from 1,633 cases settled in 2010 (Table 2.10). Table 2.10: Cases referred to and settled under the ADR (2009 – 2011) Cases referred and pending Cases mediated Cases settled Cases referred back to court Cases still pending Source: Judicial Service of Ghana, 2012 2.12 2009 5358 5358 3871 683 849 2010 3754 3754 1633 1469 536 2011 4392 4392 1831 2025 536 Independent Governance Institutions As part of efforts to strengthen Ghana’s governance architecture, the 1992 Constitution designates the Electoral Commission (EC), Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Judicial Service (JS), and the National Media Commission (NMC) as the key Independent Governance Institutions (IGIs). The IGIs have special functions to serve as a check on the Executive Arm of Government in order to ensure good and accountable governance. 2.12.1 Budgetary support to IGIs Government continued the resourcing of IGIs to enable them effectively perform their functions. In 2011, the government released a total of GHC165,190,397.95 representing a percentage change of about 200 percent of the 2010 releases. It is, however, worth noting that the phenomenal increase was as a result of the implementation of the Single Spine Salary policy which resulted in increases in basic salaries of staff. Table 2.11: Budgetary resources to IGIs, 2011 Approved Actual % change Sixth Annual APRM Progress Report: January – December 2011 Budget 27