I have not endorsed use of Otabil's voice - Prez Mahama

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Created on Monday, 19 November 2012 00:00

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I have not endorsed use of Otabil's voice - Prez Mahama

19 November 2012

President John Dramani Mahama has once again distanced himself from advertisement containing sermons of the General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, Pastor Mensa Otabil, and which seek to further the campaigns of the governing NDC.

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In yet another statement issued in Accra in respect of the matter, the President's campaign team said, "President Mahama wishes to reiterate his position that he did not and has not endorsed any political advertising containing Pastor's Otabil's voice, neither is he aware of any surrogate affiliated to him as being behind the promotion of such tapes."

In the aftermath of a press conference at which Pastor Otabil asked Mr Mahama to speak out on the issue because "although you may not be aware of this development, the perpetrators of these blatant acts of impunity are largely affiliates and surrogates of your party,” the campaign director of the Mahama 2012 campaign, Ms Hannah Tetteh, issued a statement saying the president could not be held responsible for the actions of "any individual or group of individual's who may or may not have sympathies with the NDC and who are making information that is easily accessible, available in the public domain."

This statement was denounced as hypocritical and a political sophistry.

The Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, said the government's attempt to distance itself from the ads, sponsored by a group which calls itself Education Watch, was disingenuous.

He insisted that he had incontrovertible evidence that a Deputy Information Minister was paying for the ads.

In view of the continuous debate on issues, the Mahama 2012 Campaign issued another statement also signed by Ms Tetteh insisting has not “endorsed any political advertising containing Pastor's Otabil's voice, neither is he aware of any surrogate affiliated to him as being behind the promotion of such tapes.”

President Mahama, according to the statement appealed to all groups of volunteers, supporters and well-wishers who believe in his message to also focus on the official campaign message of jobs, employment, stability and development, and desist from any form of campaign advertising utilising the voice of non-political actors.

The statement added that President Mahama’s campaign is focused on its own message of advancing the Better Ghana Agenda with job creation as its pivot.

Read below for the full statement:

President John Dramani Mahama has noted with concern the ensuing commentary in the media following the recent press conference by Dr. Mensah Otabil, General Overseer of International Central Gospel Church.

It would be recalled that subsequent to the Press Conference by Pastor Otabil, the John Mahama 2012 Campaign issued a statement to clear the air on matters relating to issues raised in the respected Pastor's press conference.



President Mahama wishes to reiterate his position that he did not and has not endorsed any political advertising containing Pastor's Otabil's voice, neither is he aware of any surrogate affiliated to him as being behind the promotion of such tapes.

President Mahama's campaign is focused on its own message of advancing the Better Ghana agenda with job creation as its pivot. The President will therefore wish to appeal to all groups of volunteers, supporters and well-wishers who believe in his message to also focus on the official campaign message of jobs, employment, stability and development, and desist from any form of campaign advertising utilising the voice of non-political actors.

The Better Ghana Agenda offers the best hope for Ghanaians in terms of putting people first, providing more employment opportunities, accessible and quality education, improved healthcare, building a strong and resilient economy, infrastructural development, peace and stability.

This message, together with the humble and affable personality of the President, makes us confident of victory in the election. 

President Mahama wishes to reiterate his respect for the clergy and wishes to assure them of his commitment to ensuring that the Church and the State coexist in harmony and work in partnership towards improving the socio-economic wellbeing of our citizenry.

Hanna Tetteh

Communications Director

John Mahama 2012 Campaign

From: Myjoyonline.com