The leadership of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church has urged its members to act in accordance with the church’s tenets on December 7, 2024.
This call comes amidst appeals for the church to allow its members to vote on the election day, which falls on a Saturday, the Sabbath day.
At a recent event where President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was honoured by Valley View University, he emphasized the importance of the SDA reconsidering their stance to permit members to participate in the voting process.
“The right to vote is fundamental, and every citizen should have the opportunity to exercise it,” President Akufo-Addo remarked.
Adding to the discourse, Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Agriculture, took to X (formerly Twitter) to advocate for SDA members. He appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to include SDA members in the special voting process, ensuring their ability to vote without conflicting with their religious observance.
However, the SDA Church released a statement reiterating its position. The church emphasized the importance of adhering to their beliefs, particularly the observance of the Sabbath.
The statement highlighted their initial efforts to advocate for a change in the election date to avoid this challenge, but since the change was not feasible, the church could not compromise its principles.
“We have always maintained that the Sabbath day should be kept holy, and we cannot go against this belief,” the statement read. The leadership advised members to remain steadfast and to ensure their actions align with the church’s teachings, despite the circumstances.
As the December 7th election approaches, the SDA Church’s guidance remains clear, urging members to prioritize their religious commitments.