In a resolute appeal to the Electoral Commission of Ghana, the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church has reaffirmed its call for a change in the date of the upcoming general elections to ensure that its members can vote without compromising their religious beliefs.
The church underscored the sanctity of the Sabbath and highlighted the necessity of accommodating diverse religious practices within Ghana’s democratic framework.
In an official statement issued jointly by the Southern Ghana Union Conference Of SDA Church and the Northern Ghana Union Conference of the SDA Church, the leadership emphasized their unwavering commitment to upholding Sabbath observance.
“We encourage our members to actively participate in civic duties while adhering to their religious principles. The SDA Church, which historically refrains from engaging in non-religious activities on the Sabbath, including voting, views the current election date as a conflict with our religious convictions”, the statement stated.
Sanctity of the Sabbath
According to the statement, the SDA Church regards Saturday, the Sabbath, as a day dedicated solely to worship, spiritual growth, and community fellowship.
The statement reiterated that congregational meetings on the Sabbath should not be used as platforms for political discourse, party endorsements, or campaign activities. Instead, the focus should remain on religious observance and community unity.
With the upcoming elections scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2024, the SDA Church leaders called on their members to reflect thoughtfully on their voting decisions in alignment with their deeply held Sabbath observance beliefs.
They stressed that participating in the democratic process by voting on the Sabbath contradicts their religious convictions.
A Call for Inclusivity and Respect for Religious Practices
Furthermore, the statement pointed out that the SDA Church’s appeal to the Electoral Commission seeks to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process without compromising their faith principles.
The church’s leadership argued that changing the election date would demonstrate respect for religious diversity and inclusivity in Ghana’s democratic practices.
The church leaders also emphasized that the request was not an attempt to disrupt the electoral process but rather an appeal for accommodation and respect for their religious beliefs.
They urged the Electoral Commission to consider alternative dates for the elections that would allow SDA members and others who observe the Sabbath to participate fully in the voting process.
The SDA Church’s historical stance on Sabbath observance has consistently guided its members to refrain from non-religious activities on Saturdays.
This tradition reflects the church’s commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the Sabbath, a core aspect of their faith.
In an earlier pronouncement, Honorable Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency in the Eastern region, called on the Electoral Commission to allow all Seventh-day Adventist Church members to take part in the special voting.
Honorable Bryan Acheampong posited that since a section of Ghanaians who worship on Saturday are not permitted, by their belief and religion to vote on the Sabbath day, the Electoral Commission must implement measures that will allow members of the Seventh-day Adventist to vote alongside security agencies and other persons under the special voting list.
Honorable Bryan Acheampong underscored the importance of his call, asserting that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has a membership of over 800,000+ members spread all over the country.
He thus contended that the teeming members of the SDA Church stand the chance of being disenfranchised if the Electoral Commission does not tag them alongside persons and agencies scheduled to take part in the special voting exercise.
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