…Over Smear Campaign against Prez Mahama

The President, John Dramani Mahama has expressed disappointment over the conduct of the campaign of his arch-rival and presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo Addo.

President John Mahama, in a statement issued on his behalf and signed by his campaign communication director, Madam Hannah Tetteh, captioned, NPP & Akuffo Addo can do better, demanded of Nana Addo to raise higher the level of political debate, focusing on issues dear to the hearts of the good people of Ghana.

“We are of the view that it is important to raise the level of political discourse to a higher level of decency and debate to focus on the issues of most concern to Ghanaians and not flimsy, baseless personal attacks”.

Responding to a press conference addressed by a deputy communication director at the Nana Addo campaign, the John Mahama 2012 Campaign noted with regret the inability of its opponents, to conduct their campaign within a framework of decorousness and of issues.

“We note with regret that our opponents in the NPP are obviously not capable of conducting their campaign within that frame. This is unfortunate, but no doubt would give the people of Ghana an indication of the pathetic and desperate nature of their campaign for election 2012”. John Mahama 2012 campaign stated.

According to the John Mahama 2012 campaign, issues raised at the NPP press conference were simply attempts to smear president Mahama as they were of no worthy consideration by the good people of Ghana

Rubbishing the allegations in the statement by Nana Akufo Addo’s deputy communication director, the presidents’ campaign directorate rhetorically asked “did President Mahama give STX $264 million? No. Did President Mahama terminate the contracts between the Government of Ghana and CP, Rockshell and Alfred Woyome? No. Insisting: “Beyond throwing allegations of Corruption at appointees of this Government did the text of their press conference have any substance? No.”

According to the president’s campaign, “Unlike the speech writers of the NPP we believe the people of Ghana are more discerning, and now that they have made the debate on character central to their campaign, we believe that the people of Ghana will make the assessment of the character of the contenders for the Presidency, and choose the better man to advance the agenda of creating a peaceful, prosperous country where every citizen irrespective of where they come from, or their religious and political affiliation will have the opportunity to succeed”.

The statement further said, “We have taken note of the fact that the NPP and Nana Akuffo Addo have proceeded to launch a viral attack on facebook and other such social media platforms in the vain hope perhaps, that once allegations and slander are planted online they will at some point be repeated in the print and electronic media as news. Desperate people try desperate tactics, and as the good book says, "by their fruits you shall know them".

The statement in conclusion said “President Mahama assures the people of Ghana that he will continue to work in their best interest. The NDC campaign for the 2012 elections will continue to focus on the most important social, economic and governance issues affecting our country and will explain to the people of Ghana in this campaign the areas on which John Dramani Mahama and his Government will focus their attention if given the mandate of the people of this country, in order to work for you and continue to advance the better Ghana agenda”.