Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to put policies in place that will let SDA members vote alongside law enforcement and other individuals on the special voting list.
He claims that the 800,000 or so SDA members in Ghana are presently denied the right to vote because of their religious convictions, which forbid them from participating in any kind of activity on Saturdays, including voting.
Mr. Acheampong made the plea in a post on X, the previous Twitter platform. He emphasized the need of making sure that all eligible individuals can use their democratic right to vote, regardless of their religious affiliations.
Please stand with me in urging the EC to permit 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,” his post read.
Earlier this year, the Adventist Church wrote to the Electoral Commission proposing that this year’s election day be held on Tuesday in November, a move that would allow all Ghanaians, regardless of religious affiliation, to participate fully in the democratic process without compromising their religious observances.
The EC, in its reply, said it would consider the proposal.
The SDA 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 characterize Ghana’s democratic landscape.
The SDA 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.