President appeals to SDA to participate in December 7 election

Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has appealed to the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church to reconsider its decision not to participate in the upcoming December 7 election which falls on a Saturday, due to religious obligations.

“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 said, and emphasised the importance of balancing spiritual obligations with civic responsibilities.

The President said the country’s democratic process, much like its religious practices, were fundamental pillars of the society, and referenced Matthew 22:21 of the Holy Bible, where Jesus said: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's”.

President Akufo-Addo made the appeal at the Valley View University at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region, where an honorary doctorate degree was conferred on him.

This is the fifth honorary doctorate degree conferred on the President by academic institutions. The current award underscores his dedication to national development and academic excellence.

Concerns

The forthcoming general election coincides with the Sabbath of the SDA Church. The Adventist community has raised concerns about the timing of the poll and their participation in the electoral process.

The President acknowledged the significance of the Sabbath for the Adventist community, recognising it as a sacred day of rest and worship and quoted the holy scriptures to underscore the importance of fulfilling duties to both God and the state.

“The teachings of Christ Jesus call for harmonising spiritual convictions with civic responsibilities, recognising that the fulfilment of both is essential to the well-being of the community,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo, therefore, urged the SDA Church to explore practical solutions that would enable members to exercise their right to vote without compromising their religious convictions.

He further explained the historical and constitutional basis for the election date, adding that the date had varied in past elections, falling on different days of the week, and emphasised that there was no intention to deter or disenfranchise any group of citizens.

“The December 7 date as time for the general election has emanated from our decision to depart from the example of the first election in 1992,” the President said. The decision to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day aims to ensure consistency in the terms of office for the Presidency and Parliament.

Free and fair elections

President Akufo-Addo reiterated his commitment to ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections to reinforce the nation’s democratic credentials.

He gave an assurance of his government’s unwavering dedication to upholding democratic principles and also safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.

“I am determined to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections on December 7, to reinforce Ghana’s democratic credentials, and solidify our status as a beacon of democracy on the continent.

Commendation

President Akufo-Addo commended Valley View University for its role in the growth and development of private tertiary education in the country. The university, the first private institution in the country to receive a charter, was a milestone achieved under the leadership of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The event, therefore, marked the government’s recognition of the vital role private institutions play in expanding access to higher education to foster academic excellence.

President Akufo-Addo said since taking office in 2017, he had presented charters to seven private tertiary institutions, demonstrating his government’s commitment to creating a diverse and competitive higher education landscape.

President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to Valley View University for the honour done him, and pledged to uphold the principles the institution stood for to enhance the educational landscape in the country.