Churches must help produce patriotic youth – Asiedu Nketiah

National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah has called on religious organizations, including the Seventh-day Adventist Church and others, to back a constitutional amendment that would fix Tuesday as the voting day for presidential and parliamentary elections. Nketiah argued that designating a specific weekday for national elections could help avert disputes among political parties, the Electoral Commission, and religious groups that arise when election dates clash with significant worship days.

He brought up past instances where both the SDA Church and the Saviour Church of Ghana had urged him to support their request to shift the 2024 general election from Saturday, December 7, which fell on the Sabbath for Seventh-day Adventists. Nketiah further noted similar concerns raised by Muslim and other Christian communities during elections when polling dates coincided with Fridays or Sundays.

He emphasized that this recurring issue created an unnecessary conflict between citizens' constitutional right to vote and their religious obligations. Therefore, he urged religious bodies to support the amendment to ensure a stable voting day, preventing unnecessary arguments between political parties, the Electoral Commission, and affected religious bodies.

Under the existing constitutional framework, the Electoral Commission has the power to set the election date within the time limits set by the Constitution. Traditionally, Ghana's general elections have been held on December 7 every four years. However, the 2024 election date was particularly contentious as December 7 coincided with a Saturday.

The Electoral Commission ultimately maintained the date after evaluating the legal framework and electoral arrangements. Nketiah highlighted that a fixed weekday would provide a more predictable schedule and minimize the chances of religious considerations becoming a recurring source of disagreement during election periods.