December polls: We can't vote on Sabbath day; it's against our doctrine — SDA affirms position

The Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church in Ghana has reaffirmed its long-held position that members should not vote on Saturday, which is the day for this year’s December 7 elections, out of respect for the Sabbath.

In a statement issued on Saturday, July 20, church leadership said that while it encourages civic participation, "voting on the Sabbath is... contrary to our understanding of its sanctity."

The Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, holds "deep spiritual significance" for Adventists as a day dedicated to worship, rest and communion with God, the statement notes.

"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," stressed the statement.

The church stressed it has consistently advocated for election days to avoid Saturday to allow full participation, reflecting its view that moving the date would permit "all citizens, regardless of faith, to participate fully in the democratic process."

However, the statement clarified that church gatherings should not be used for political purposes.

“Our focus during Sabbath gatherings should be worship, spiritual growth, and fellowship," it said.

While respecting members' individual consciences, the statement outlined the church's official stance for its members in Ghana: that voting on the Sabbath would go against Adventist doctrine on the sanctity of the holy day.

The reaffirmation comes despite calls for key individuals such as President Akufo-Addo for the church to reconsider its stance.

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi and Minister of Food and Agriculture has called on the Electoral Commission to consider adding the Adventists to the Special Voting list.

“Kindly join me in calling on the EC to allow the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) to vote with the security agencies. The SDA has an 800,000+ strong Ghanaian membership that is disenfranchised because, by their faith, they do not work on Saturdays and, therefore, do not vote.

Let us respect their faith and allow them to vote with the security agencies,” the Minister wrote in a post via X on July 18.

Read a copy of the full statement signed by Pr. Dr. Thomas Techie Ocran, President of the Southern Ghana Union Conference and Pr. Dr. Kwame Annor Boahen, President

of the Northern Ghana Union Conference, below;