Accra, Aug 25, GNA - The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Adjei, has been urged to remain steadfast and unrelenting in his efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in the country.

This was contained in a message of support and solidarity issued in Accra on Wednesday, signed by Mr Daniel Nii Okai, Chairman of the Odododiodioo Constituency of the NDC.

It accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of being fond of "creating a storm in a tea cup," out of issues that went against it to gain cheap political advantage.

The statement said Dr Kwabena Adjei should rather be commended for calling on the Judiciary to purge itself of corrupt and politically biased judges.

It said the NDC National Chairman was only stating a general perception among Ghanaians that the judiciary was high on the index of corrupt state institutions in the country.

The statement noted the important role of the judiciary in consolidating democracy in the country and said a free, just and honest bench devoid of corruption and political bias was very important for good governance.

"Where the Judiciary is perceived to be corrupt and biased deter investors needed for the socio-economic advancement of the country," it stated.

He said the track record of the judiciary such as the Chief Justice empanelling a court to hear an electoral case on a public holiday, which could have plunged the country into chaos, was an indication of bias.

The statement, which was also signed by the Constituency Secretary, Mr Joseph Otoo, called on the NDC National Chairman to stand by his statement since the rank and file of the party was solidly behind him.

It quoted Article 146 Section (6) of the Constitution, which stated that a petitioner could petition the President for the removal of the Chief Justice and judges in consultation with the Council of State and appoint a committee to consider the petition.

The NPP should support the NDC in ensuring good governance in the country and not to throw Ghana into a state of panic and insecurity, the statement said and added that the President had declared that he did not have any intention to interfere with the work of the Judiciary.

It said this should put the matter to rest and pointed out that the statement did not mean that there was no need for judicial reforms.