President John Mahama has said his first term in office has been challenging but positive for the country.

According to him, the prolonged election petition case at the Supreme Court affected the economy at the early stages of his administration.

Addressing supporters of NDC in Cape Coast, where the party is launching its campaign for the 2016 elections, the president also blamed the nagging power crisis for the challenges that have confronted the country.

“My first term as president has been challenging but also very positive. It began with the election case in court where many Ghanaians sat and followed through with process because it was televised and the international community also been slow with the necessary support because of the uncertainty which surrounding the outcome,” the President stated.

He however said a lot has been done to fix the power crisis permanently.

“While we have done a lot to stabilize the power situation a lot more remains to be done”. He said his second term will be dedicated to stabilize the economic fundamentals of the country.

Meanwhile, former President Jerry Rawlings has admonished the NDC against complacency as they go into the 2016 elections.

According to Rawlings, who is also the founder of the NDC, the December 7 polls will not be an easy task but will be challenging and demanding.

“What is ahead of you will not be an easy task, it will be a challenge and demanding. Don’t allow undue provocation to create undue tension," he told the crowd at Cape Coast where the NDC is currently launching its campaign for the 2016 elections.

He continued: “The NPP cannot be underestimated, they’ve been in existence for a long time and have been changing their name till this date, the nature of who they are, what they are, where they’ve come from is something they are happy with, and they will be there for a long time.

"The calculation of what and who they are...it is important that we fight this election on our terms and not their terms. Let us not mimic their behavior".