SDA members urged to vote on election day despite Sabbath observance

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has pleaded to members of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) community, urging them to participate in the upcoming general election on Saturday, December 7, 2024, despite the clash with their Sabbath observance.

Mr. John Kwame Duodu, the NPP’s First Vice Chairman for the Atwima Nwabiagya South Constituency in the Ashanti Region, addressed the issue in a public statement, calling on the church’s members, particularly the youth, to vote in what he described as a critical election for the future of Ghana.

As a devoted member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, I hold firm to our shared values of faith, service, and responsibility. However, as we approach the upcoming general election, I humbly plead with the entire membership of the church, especially the youth, to make an exception on this significant day. While we honour the Sabbath on Saturdays, it is important to recognize that this election is crucial to the future of our nation,” Mr. Duodu wrote. 

He emphasised that the policies of NPP presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia offer “innovative ideas” that could transform Ghana and lead to greater prosperity.

Seventh Day Adventists observe the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, a period during which they refrain from secular activities. 

However, Mr. Duodu urged the community to make an exception, given the stakes of the upcoming election.

The 2024 general election is expected to be highly competitive, with Dr. Bawumia facing 12 other candidates in a race that will shape the country’s political and economic future.

Mr. Duodu’s message underscored the NPP’s efforts to galvanize support among various communities, including faith-based groups, ahead of the election.

“We can make a difference and ensure that our beloved country continues to thrive,” Duodu added, expressing his hope that SDA members would seize the opportunity to support the NPP.