The Eastern Regional Minister, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has dismissed media reports he is campaigning for a John Mahama 2012 presidential bid. He told Joy News it will be senseless to campaign for another person whilst working for President John Evans Atta Mills who appointed him into office. The Daily Guide newspaper in a publication of August 31, 2010 headlined “John Mahama 2012 campaign unveiled” reports of supporters of the NDC in Atiwa wearing ‘T’ Shirts meant to canvass support for the vice–president as the party's presidential candidate in the 2012 general elections. The paper cited the Eastern Regional Minister as the brain behind the possible ‘coup’ meant to oust the sitting president who has not hidden his intention to re-run in the 2012 election. Mr Ofosu Ampofu admitted sharing the T-shirts to supporters of the NDC who were campaigning in Atiwa where a parliamentary by-election is being held, but said his actions were not ill-intentioned. He explained that the T-shirts were leftovers from the 2008 general elections which he gave out to the party sympathisers and only had a small picture of John Mahama at the top right corner of the T-shirt-nothing close to the launch of a 2012 campaign bid for John Mahama, he said. “I am an appointed Minister of his Excellency Prof Mills and so how can I in my right senses go and print a T-shirt to campaign for somebody against a president who has appointed me and made me a minister,” he quizzed in an interview with Sammy Darko. “What is wrong with a John Mahama T-shirt being worn by anybody?” “…I am a senior member of the party and I will be the last person to do anything to undermine the constitution of the party.” He described the publication as mischievous. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the vice-president has pledged his unflinching support for the president. John Jinapor told Joy News it is too early to start raising issues who runs for the 2012 elections. “2012 does not even come into play at all,” he said, adding “President Mills is the leader. Just as we supported President Rawlings for the first and second term; just as the NPP supported President Kufuor for the first and second terms we believe President Mills should be given the same support so the party can grow from strength to strength,” he assured. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com