Election 2024: Break the rule this once, nothing will happen

Lawyer Twum-Barimah, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, has appealed to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA) to consider breaking its Sabbath observance to allow members to vote in the December 7 elections, which fall on a Saturday.

On July 20, 2024, the SDA Church issued a statement rejecting President Akufo-Addo’s appeal for members of the church to vote in the upcoming elections, emphasizing its strong commitment to its religious beliefs.

The church urged the Electoral Commission and stakeholders to consider changing the election date to accommodate all voters, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Part of the church’s statement read, “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.”

The church emphasized that the Sabbath, observed from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday, is a day dedicated to worship, rest, and communion with God.

During a discussion on UTV’s ‘Adekye Nsroma’ morning show, Twum-Barimah reacted to the church’s stance, saying, “Break the rule this once, nothing will happen.”

He argued that prioritizing the civil right to vote is crucial and urged the SDA Church to reconsider its position for the national exercise.

Watch the video below for more details: