In a significant shift for the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church, social commentator and activist Dr James Kwabena Bonfeh also known as Kabila has revealed on Okay FM that the church will actively participate in Ghana’s upcoming elections.
This announcement marks a change in the church’s long-standing position of abstaining from voting due to their observance of the Sabbath.
Speaking on the Ade Akye Abia morning show with Kwame Nkrumah Tikese, Kabila highlighted that the SDA Church has made strides toward ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election process.
He commended the police for their efforts in maintaining law and order during the electoral period, stating, “The work of the police to ensure fair and transparent elections is commendable, and we are grateful for their commitment.”
Historically, the SDA Church has refrained from voting in elections, a stance rooted in their religious practices.
The most notable instance was in 1996 when the election date coincided with Saturday, the Sabbath. As per their beliefs, the Sabbath is a day of rest and worship, making it difficult for Adventists to participate in voting on that day. In that election, more than 95 per cent of Adventist voters abstained from casting their ballots.
With the 2024 elections also set to take place on a Saturday, church leaders have taken proactive steps to address the conflict between religious observance and civic participation.
