The Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ghana has reaffirmed its long-standing position that voting on Saturday, the Sabbath, is not aligned with its religious beliefs.
In a statement issued on July 20, 2024 available to Metro TV, the Church emphasized that the Sabbath is a sacred day dedicated to worship, rest, and communion with God, and encouraged members to prioritize their religious observance.
“While we respect the civic responsibility of our members to participate in the democratic process, including exercising their right to vote, we urge them to prayerfully ensure that their decisions are consistent with the Adventist belief on the sanctity of the Sabbath,” the statement jointly signed by Pr. Dr. Thomas Techie Ocran, President of the Southern Ghana Union Conference and Pr. Dr. Kwame Annor Boahen, President of the Northern Ghana Union Conference stated.
The Church also reiterated its efforts to advocate for an election date change to accommodate members’ religious observance, stating that “moving the election day away from Saturday would allow all citizens, regardless of faith, to participate fully in the democratic process.”
The church stated categorically that “Our focus during Sabbath gatherings should be worship, spiritual growth, and fellowship, not political debate or endorsement of political parties or candidates.”
The statement emphasized that the Church does not endorse any political party or candidate and encourages members to engage in civic activities that align with their faith.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has appealed to the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, to reconsider their decision and partake in the forthcoming general elections.
Akufo-Addo was conferred with his fifth honorary doctorate degree by Valley View University at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region on Sunday, July 14.
During his acceptance speech, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo addressed the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 7th, 2024.
“Today, as I stand before this distinguished assembly, I wish to address a matter of great importance to our nation – the upcoming general elections scheduled for 7th December 2024,” the President began.
He acknowledged the significance of the Sabbath for the Adventist community, recognizing it as a sacred day of rest and worship.
“The Sabbath, as a sacred day of rest and worship, holds profound significance for the Adventist community, and I deeply respect and honour this fact,” he stated.
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