Voting on Saturday not in alignment with church’s beliefs — SDA

The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church has stated that voting on Saturday, the Sabbath of the Lord, is not in alignment with the church’s religious beliefs.

“The Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Ghana recognises the civic responsibility of its members to participate in the democratic process, including exercising their right to vote.

However, we wish to reiterate our longstanding conviction that voting on Saturday, the Sabbath of the Lord, is not in alignment with our religious beliefs,” it explained. In a statement signed by the President of the Southern Ghana Union Conference, Pastor Dr Thomas Techie Ocran, and the President of the Northern Ghana Union Conference, Pastor Dr Kwame Annor Boahen, the church noted that the SDA church’s observation of the Sabbath, a sacred period from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, held deep spiritual significance for Adventists.

“The Sabbath is a sacred day dedicated to worship, rest, and commune with God. Our long-standing conviction and teaching have been that members should not engage in non-religious activities, including voting.

“Voting on the Sabbath is, therefore, contrary to our understanding of its sanctity,” it said.

Date change

The statement indicated that the leadership of the SDA Church made efforts to have the election date changed but to no avail. “The leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has consistently advocated an election date change to accommodate members' religious observance.

The church's efforts were based on our belief that moving the election day away from Saturday would allow all citizens, regardless of faith, to participate fully in the democratic process,” it read.

It called on all SDA churches across the country not to allow meetings to be used as a platform for political debate, campaign or endorsement of any candidate or political party.

“As a church, while we encourage civic engagement, our congregational meetings—whether on Saturday or any other day—should not serve as platforms for political debate, endorsement of political parties, or candidate or political party campaigns,” it stated.

The statement emphasised that the focus of the church during Sabbath gatherings should be worship, spiritual growth and fellowship. 

Meeting with President

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at a ceremony at the Valley View University where an honorary doctorate was conferred on him, 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.”