During his acceptance speech at Valley View University, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo discussed the approaching general elections that are set for December 7, 2024.
Due to this day falling on the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church’s Sabbath, there are worries among the Adventist community regarding their involvement in the election process.
The SDA Church was kindly urged by President Akufo-Addo to reconsider their position on their refusal to participate in the polls on the grounds of religious observance.
“Today, as I stand before this distinguished assembly, I wish to address a matter of great importance to our nation – the upcoming general elections scheduled for 7th December 2024,” the President began. He acknowledged the significance of the Sabbath for the Adventist community, recognizing it as a sacred day of rest and worship.
“The Sabbath, as a sacred day of rest and worship, holds profound significance for the Adventist community, and I deeply respect and honour this fact,” he stated.
The President emphasized the importance of balancing spiritual obligations with civic responsibilities. “Our democratic process, much like our religious practices, are fundamental pillars of our society,” he said.
He referenced the biblical teaching from Matthew 22:21, where Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” to underscore the importance of fulfilling duties to both God and the State. This teaching, he noted, calls for harmonizing spiritual convictions with civic responsibilities, recognising that the fulfilment of both is essential to the well-being of the community.
The SDA Church was urged by President Akufo-Addo to look into workable alternatives that would allow members to exercise their right to vote without sacrificing their religious beliefs. As possible remedies, he recommended early voting and other concessions.
He said, “I implore the Adventist Church’s leadership to investigate workable solutions that would allow members to exercise their right to vote without compromising their religious convictions.” He contended that taking such action would honour both civic responsibility and religious adherence, leading by example as a conscientious and inclusive citizen.
The President also gave an explanation of the election date’s historical and constitutional foundation. He underlined that there is no aim to disenfranchise or discourage any set of residents, pointing out that the date has fluctuated in previous elections and has fallen on different days of the week.
“The date of 7th December as the time for general elections has emanated from our decision to depart from the example of the first election in 1992,” he explained. The decision to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day aims to ensure consistency in the terms of office for the Presidency and Parliament.
To further strengthen Ghana’s democratic credentials, President Akufo-Addo reaffirmed his pledge to guarantee free and fair elections on December 7.
He gave the country his word that his administration would maintain democratic values and protect the fairness of the electoral process at all costs. “To further Ghana’s democratic credentials and strengthen our position as a beacon of democracy, I am committed to ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections on December 7th.