Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for the Abetifi Constituency in the Eastern Region under the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to facilitate voting for members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) alongside state agencies and security officials who are on the special voters list.
Dr. Acheampong highlighted that the SDA, with approximately 800,000 members in Ghana, currently faces disenfranchisement due to their religious beliefs that prohibit activities such as voting on Saturdays.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, the cabinet minister underscored the importance of ensuring that all eligible citizens, regardless of religious affiliations, can freely exercise their democratic right to vote.
Let’s join efforts in calling on the EC to permit Seventh-day Adventists to vote alongside security agencies. The SDA, with over 800,000 Ghanaian members, is disenfranchised because their faith prohibits Saturday activities, including voting,
His statement read.
Background:
Earlier this year, the Adventist Church proposed to the Electoral Commission that election day be scheduled for a Tuesday in November, allowing all Ghanaians to participate in the electoral process without conflicting with their religious observances.
The EC responded positively, indicating it would consider the proposal. The Seventh-day Adventist Church expressed appreciation for the EC’s openness to this adjustment, emphasizing the collaborative spirit and mutual respect within Ghana’s democratic framework.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church reiterated its commitment to engaging constructively with all stakeholders to foster a democratic environment that respects the diverse religious landscape of Ghana.
