President John Mahama has stated that despite the presence and warm speech former President Jerry John Rawlings delivered to party followers, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) still have “serious” challenges to contend with.

To him, it would be politically naive for the leadership, himself and members of the party to relish that by the mere participation of Mr. Rawlings, the party was heading for a landslide victory in the December elections.

President Mahama said this when addressing delegates at the party's national congress in Kumasi on Thursday.

“Everybody including myself will be politically naive should we say that for the fact that our founder (Mr. Rawlings) is here with us so our problems as a political party are over, no! We need to do more to become a formidable force,” the president intoned.

While advising party faithful to join hands in uniting the party, President Mahama was optimistic the achievements of the government in the past four years would help it avoid a run-off as was the case in 2008.

The president who was urged on by the delegates and supporters further dismissed suggestions that the December election was going to be a matter of live and death, adding that “I am prepared to protect the existing peace in the country.”

“People who think that this election is going to be a matter of live and death must re-think. This election is not going to be all die be die! I am saying this election is not all die be die,” he added, amid huge applause from the gathering.

He, however, promised the party of a relentless campaign which would be devoid of acrimony and insults to capture power.

“We need an efficient message and togetherness for Ghanaians to believe that we will be able to govern for another term,” he said.