Voting on Saturday not aligned with our religious beliefs - SDA Church

The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church has reacted to last week’s appeal by President Akufo-Addo, for members of the church to reconsider their position on voting in this year’s December 7 elections which falls on a Saturday.

According to the church, it was still standing by the long standing conviction, that voting on a Saturday, which is the Sabbath of the Lord, is not in alignment with its religious beliefs.

Following last week’s appeal by President Akufo-Addo, the church in a statement jointly signed by presidents of the Southern Ghana and Northern Ghana conferences gave members of the church the directions to follow.

The leadership of the SDA church had advocated for an election date change to accommodate members' religious observance.

The Church's efforts were based on that belief that moving the Election Day away from Saturday would allow all citizens, regardless of faith, to participate fully in the democratic process.

To the church, it recognises the civic responsibility of its members to participate in the democratic process, including exercising their right to vote.

However, it says the Sabbath is a Sacred Day, observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, and holds a deep spiritual significance for Adventists.

It is a day dedicated to worship, rest, and communion with God. The church has a long-standing conviction and has been teaching members that, they should not engage in non-religious activities, including voting. Voting on the Sabbath is therefore contrary to the understanding of its sanctity.

In a statement dated July 20, 2024, jointly signed by Pastor Dr Thomas Techie Ocran and Pastor Dr Kwame Annor Boahen, presidents of the Southern Ghana and Northern Ghana conferences, the church stated that it respects the right of its members to vote.

However, on the matter of voting on Saturday, they are urging members to prayerfully ensure that their decisions are consistent with the Adventist belief on the sanctity of the Sabbath.

Attached below is copy of the full statement

Beloved,

Sabbath Observance and Civic Responsibility: A Statement from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ghana

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.

We wish to reiterate what the Church stands for and advocates:

1. Sabbath as a Sacred Day

The Sabbath, observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, holds deep spiritual significance for Adventists. It is a day dedicated to worship, rest, and communion 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.

2. Efforts Made Toward Election Date Change

The leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has consistently advocated for 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.

3. No Political Endorsement

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 candidates or political party campaigns. Our focus during Sabbath gatherings should be worship, spiritual growth, and fellowship.

In summary, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ghana respects the right of its members to vote.

However, on the matter of voting on Saturday, we urge members to prayerfully ensure that their decisions are consistent with the Adventist belief on the sanctity of the Sabbath.

While we respect the diversity of opinions within our membership, this statement, issued by the Southern Ghana Union Conference and Northern Ghana Union Conference is the Church in Ghana's official position on Sabbath observance and voting on Saturday, December 7, 2024.