The Communication Spokesperson for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA), Dr. Solace Yawa Asafo, has said that the proposed change of voting date, from December 7 starting from 2028, is a historic moment for the church.
According to Dr. Solace Yawa Asafo in a statement dated February 20, 2024, even though the decision will not be implemented this year, it represents a victory for religious freedom.
“It’s a historic moment for us, this decision signifies a victory for religious freedom and underscores the importance of accommodating diverse religious practices within our democratic framework”, Dr. Asafo said.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church expressed gratitude for the Electoral Commission’s willingness to consider this significant adjustment in the future and said the decision symbolized the spirit of dialogue and mutual respect that characterizes Ghana’s democratic landscape.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and engaging in constructive dialogue with all stakeholders to promote a democracy that embraces the diverse religious fabric of Ghana.
In January this year, the leadership of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church petitioned the Attorney General’s office to sponsor a bill to amend the Saturday, December 7, 2024, election day, indicating that it is the Sabbath Day to worship God.
The Church, however, proposed the 1st or 2nd Tuesday of November to ensure an all-inclusive democratic exercise that would not deliberately deny others from exercising their voting rights.
“It is the considered view of the Church that this bill should be sponsored by the Office of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General (Executive) because of its nature. Hence, the request for this meeting with the Honourable Minister in that regard.”
The Church indicated that the amendment has become necessary following its positive engagements with the EC. The church’s position stems from a proposal made by the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) in 2011 and the Electoral Reforms Committee in 2015.
Read the statement below
