Blame Jehovah Witnesses for low turn-out in elections - Akua Donkor

The Founder of the Ghana Freedom Party, Madam Akua Donkor has served notice that she will disband the religious sect, Jehovah Witnesses when elected President of Ghana.

According to her, the sect is responsible for the low turnout in both general and district level elections over the years; a situation she contends is most unfortunate and must be stopped.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses are known to remain politically neutral for religious reasons, based on what the Bible teaches.

They do not lobby, vote for political parties or candidates, run for government office, or participate in any action to change governments.

They believe that the Bible gives solid reasons for following this course. They follow the example of Jesus, who refused to accept political office. (John 6:15).

He taught his disciples to be “no part of the world” and made it clear that they should not take sides in political issues.—John 17:14, 16; 18:36; Mark 12:13-17.

But speaking at a forum organized by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Madam Akua Donkor strongly disagreed with this position, insisting that members of the sect must not be countered during national census and also must not be allowed to register when the voters exercise is opened by the Electoral Commission (EC).

“Let us take a second look at this position taken by the Jehovah witnesses as it is very worrying. When there is a census, every Jehovah witness and his or her entire family avail themselves to be counted. But when it’s time for voting they boycott the exercise…this is very bad, let’s leave them out of future census. As for me, I will disband this sect when I’m made president of Ghana.

However soon after her comments, the Deputy Commissioner of NCCE, Mr Samuel Akuamoah stated that Madam Akua Donkor’s position is not supported by law in though the commission would have wished every Ghanaian could exercise his/her franchise during national elections.

He noted every Ghanaian has the right to worship and be part of any religion so long as the practice of the religion is lawful.

“Akua Donkor’s comments are solely her views and we as a commission distance ourselves from those utterances.”