The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Bar Association has begun an indefinite strike action in protest of comments of bias against the judiciary and the Chief Justice by the ruling National Democratic Congress. The strike action, the first step in a series of actions to be taken by the regional arm pending definitive steps by the National Bar Council to end the clamour by the NDC for a house-cleaning exercise in the judiciary was announced a while ago by the acting Regional Bar President, J. Osei Kofi. A statement issued by the association said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting held in Kumasi, according to Luv FM journalist Elton John Brobbey. The meeting, according to the statement, was to deliberate on comments by the National Democratic Congress, led by its national chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, to the effect that there was widespread perception among its members that the judiciary was ill-disposed to the ruling government. Dr. Kwabena Adjei asked the Chief Justice to take steps to conduct a house-cleaning exercise or the party will advice itself. But the lawyers say the comments are not only a threat to the judiciary, it is also undermining of the national constitution and calculated at intimidating the Chief Justice and judges in Ghana. "The Regional Bar has therefore in solidarity with the judiciary and in protest against the blatant attempt to intimidate the Chief Justice and the Judges resolve to withdraw its services forthwith pending a definite decision on the matter by the National Bar Council as to the line of action to be taken to address this veiled threats to the judiciary and the rule of law in the nation," the statement said. The Acting Regional Bar President, J. Osei Kofi himself told Joy FM the association took the decision to withdraw its services in solidarity with the Chief Justice and the Judiciary because the threats by the NDC Chairman were a danger to Ghana's young democracy. "We thought that it will be in our interest as well as the whole nation to come out with such a statement in protest against the press release by the NDC." Osei Kofi said a retraction of the statement from the NDC and an apology would be welcome interventions to get the lawyers to call off the strike. Story by Myjoyonline.com/Ghana