OPIC staff in their Office Fabric during training in Narobi, Kenya
In a bid to strengthen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and enhance access to justice in the South West and North West Regions, some staff of the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator (OPIC) have undergone an intensive five-day training in Professional Mediation.
James Mang’erere, main facilitator of the Professional Mediation Training
The training, which ran from 14th to 18th September 2026 at the Methodist Resort and Conference Centre, was organized by the Mediation Training Institute of East Africa and facilitated by renowned mediation expert Mr. James Mang’erere and his team. The training brought together participants from Kenya and OPIC with the objective of equipping them with modern, practical and internationally accepted skills in mediation, negotiation and conflict coaching.
OPIC staff among other participants during training at the Methodist Resort and Conference Centre
Five Days of Intensive Learning. The training was structured to move from theory to practice, with emphasis on skills acquisition. Day 1 and 2 focused on the foundations of mediation, understanding conflict, conflict analysis, entry into mediation, communication and negotiation skills, and the stages of mediation. Day 3 was dedicated to ethics, power dynamics, and the legal framework for mediation in Cameroon. Day 4, which was highly practical, was devoted to role plays and simulation exercises. Participants were constituted into teams and assigned cases to mediate. This was followed by in-depth feedback, group debriefing and assessment by the trainers. Other modules covered included Tools of a Professional Mediator, Basic Psychology in Mediation, Culture and Mediation, Role and Qualities of a Good Mediator, Standards of Conduct for Mediators, Effective Communication Skills, Emotional Intelligence and Listening Skills. Day 5 climaxed with advanced modules on Strategic Collective Bargaining. According to the organizers, emphasis was laid on dealing with multi-party disputes, the role of experts in mediation, and techniques for dealing with difficult parties. Participants were also schooled on Conflict Coaching, Developing a Mediation Practice, Starting and Growing a Mediation Practice, Marketing Mediation Skills, and the Importance of Mediation in Resolving Business Disputes.
A major highlight of Day Five was the screening of a video on mediation dilemmas, which sparked rich discussions on ethical challenges in mediation practice. The day also covered the attributes of a successful mediator. The training ended with a take-home post-course assignment in the form of a written book examination, followed by a general wrap-up, training evaluation, and the presentation of certificates to successful participants.
Building a Culture of Dialogue
Speaking at the close of the training, Mr. James Mang’erere commended the staff of the OPIC for their commitment and active participation, especially during role plays. He noted that mediation is a cost-effective, time-saving and relationship-preserving mechanism that is critical for resolving community, workplace, land and business disputes. He urged the trainees to apply the skills acquired to promote social cohesion and peace in their daily mediation of complaints brought before the Office of the Public Independent Conciliator.
The training is expected to significantly boost the capacity of the OPIC in fulfilling its mandate of amicably resolving disputes between citizens and councils, and between citizens and regional administrations, in line with the spirit of decentralization.
