The John Mahama 2012 Campaign Team, has issued yet another statement in respect of further media discussions and commentary on excerpts from Dr. Mensah Otabil's sermons.

In this latest statement, President Mahama again underscored the fact that he has "not endorsed any political advertising containing Pastor's Otabil's voice".

On Wednesday, the Editor-In-Chief of the New Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, stated emphatically on PeaceFM's "Kokrokoo" Morning Show that a Deputy Minister of State is paying for the controversial Otabil political commercials through a group called the Education Watch and insisted the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) cannot pretend it is not behind the mischievous attempt to drag the renowned preacher of God's word into the political melee.

"I have intelligence but I will not put everything out. I am aware of a deputy minister of state who footed the bills for the jingles of education watch on a particular radio station. I am aware…there is evidence, irrefutable evidence, documented that a Deputy Minister of State is the pay master of that thing….I thought they will have the courage of conviction to say 'yes Education Watch'" is an affiliate of the NDC campaign. Why are you dodging if you think there is nothing wrong with the adverts"? he demanded.

But in what can best pass for a direct rebuttal, the JM 2012 Campaign Team, in a statement signed by Hanna Tetteh, the Communications Director, said President Mahama has not endorsed any such advert, neither is he aware of any surrogate affiliated to him as being behind the promotion of such tapes."

Read below the full statement.

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE MAHAMA 2012 CAMPAIGN IN RESPECT OF FURTHER MEDIA DISCUSSIONS & COMMENTARY ON EXCERPTS FROM DR. MENSAH OTABIL's SERMONS

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 utilizing 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 well-being of our citizenry.

Hanna Tetteh

Communications Director

John Mahama 2012 Campaign