President John Dramani Mahama on Monday said he is focused on winning the December 7 general election and would therefore not be derailed by former President Rawlings’ decision to support Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.

He said: “In the 1992 constitution, there is an important article of freedoms including that of association and I will respect his opinion and continue to focus on winning the December 7 polls to pursue the “Better Ghana Agenda” initiated by late President John Evans Atta Mills.”

President Mahama, who was responding to a question posed by Journalists on his arrival at the Jubilee Lounge of the Kotoko International Airport, said his visit to some of the districts revealed that there was a lot to be done for Ghanaians, which was currently his pre-occupation and would continue to campaign to help them to come out of their challenges.

The President on Wednesday last week, embarked on a five-day campaign tour of the northern parts of the Volta Region and later crossed over to the eastern parts of the Northern region, where he addressed rallies, inspected and inaugurated development projects initiated over the years.

On Saturday, while on his tour, former President Rawlings, the Founder of the National Democratic Congress, declared his support for his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, who had been elected to lead the National Democratic Party in the December polls.

The declaration therefore confirmed the speculations that the former President, who had been critical of the NDC, would not lend his support to President Mahama in the campaign leading to the polls.

President Mahama said he would engage all stakeholders by building a formidable government and effective economic policies that would propel the country to the pinnacle of potent economy and political recognition.

He promised to engage professionals in the development and growth of the economy, irrespective of their social, ethnic, religious or political affiliation.

President Mahama pledged to heighten the development of effective economic policies that would promote business in the country to create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed graduates in the country.

“Currently, my concern goes beyond campaigning to win elections, but what I am thinking of now is how to provide schools, health facilities, water and good roads for Ghanaians all over to make their lives meaningful in their various locations.”

Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Campaign Coordinator of President Mahama said the declaration of former President Rawlings had rather psyched them up to campaign vigorously to win the elections, come December 7.

“You saw the crowd for yourselves, everywhere we went, people were ready to sacrifice and even wait for us till late hours, which is a clear testimony that the people have the confidence in the NDC and will therefore keep them to power.