Adentan: Seventh-Day Adventists attend church in high numbers on election day

On Election Day in Ghana, members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) are observing their Sabbath traditions by attending church services, despite the day coinciding with the 2024 General Election. 

The SDA leadership had expressed concerns about the election taking place on the Sabbath, a day of worship for their faith, creating a conflict between fulfilling religious obligations and exercising their civic duty to vote.

However, the church leadership clarified that voting was a personal decision, and they respected each individual's right to make that choice. Consequently, many SDA members chose to attend church services, which began early in the morning and continued into the afternoon. 

At the All Nations Congregation in Adenta Housing Down, congregants started arriving at 8:30 am for the first service, which ran until 12:30 pm, with a second service scheduled from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

While church leaders declined to comment publicly, some worshippers spoke anonymously about their decision to attend church first and then possibly vote afterwards. 

One congregant, a father of two, shared that he and his family have always attended the first service and would decide about voting after church. 

"My family and I have always attended first service so we are here as always. As for voting, I will see how it goes after church. I have voted in three elections since 2012 and so I'll see how it goes," he said.

Another congregant, who has been voting since 2000, expressed concern about waiting in long queues but remained determined to vote after the service, provided it was feasible.

"I don't want to be in the queue given that today is a Sabbath. Hopefully, I won't have to be in the queue for long, as I'm keen to vote. I have been voting since 2000," the woman said.

Overall, SDA members have adhered to the church’s guidance on the individual nature of the decision, balancing religious observance and civic participation on this election day.