The Communication Director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA), Solace Safo, has disclosed that the church is ready to welcome special voting if the Electoral Commission makes it available for them.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM morning show Dwaso Nsem, Solace Safo said the SDA church acknowledges the cost that comes with holding another elections on another day.
However, she suggested that the EC should consider allowing the SDA church members to partake in the special voting voting which are always held for EC officers and the media.
“Sorry enough we also acknowledge that elections come with a cost and so we would not ask for a separate day for SDA church,” Mrs Safo said.
The SDA PRO said they not only asking for a change of date for 2024 polls but a date is favorable to all religious bodies. She further explained that their proposal will cure the subsequently election days falling on religious worship days.
SDA church will accept special voting if it is made available to us – Solace Asafo (PRO, SDA)#DwasoNsem
Faila Kudus Nana Kwame Bediako The NPP Mepe #BlackStars Stonebwoy Ekumfi SDA Church #airbnb LGBTQ pic.twitter.com/UAX1Sq4s9Y
— Adom 106.3 FM (@Adom1063fm) January 17, 2024
In the same interview, Solace Safo revealed the meaning behind the Sabbath. She argues that the church needs to observe the Sabbath because the same divine command that forbids stealing also tells them to rest on the seventh day.
According to Mrs. Safo, they cannot disobey this command because they regard it as an act of obedience to God.
Additionally, Mrs. Safo clarified that the main purpose of the Sabbath day is to focus exclusively on spiritual matters and to stop regular activities.
According to her, the Sabbath is a day for physical rest and renewal in addition to a spiritual observance that enhances general health.
Since the election scheduled for December 7, 2024, falls on a Saturday, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is pushing hard to change the election date.
In an effort to better accommodate their Sabbath requirements, the church has petitioned the Electoral Commission to move the date to either the first or second Tuesday.
In addition, the church is working on a petition to the Attorney General to change the constitutional clauses that currently restrict when Ghana holds presidential and legislative elections.