The Catholic Archbishop of Accra Calls for Spiritual Preparation Ahead of 2024 Elections
In a bid to ensure peaceful and fair elections in Ghana in December 2024, the Catholic Archbishop of Accra, John Bonaventure Kwofie, C.S.Sp, is urging priests, religious, and the lay faithful in the Archdiocese to embark on a spiritual preparation.
In his Pastoral Letter addressed to the people of God in the Archdiocese, Archbishop Kwofie has called for a Novena to Divine Mercy, seeking divine intervention for a smooth electoral process.
Novena of Divine Mercy
The Novena, which commenced on November 27 and will run until December 6, 2024, is a period of prayer and reflection for peace and stability during the elections.
“I urge all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Accra to participate in the Novena to Divine Mercy to seek God’s mercy for peaceful elections,” Archbishop Kwofie stated in his letter.
“I implore all Priests and Religious to organize this Novena in all Churches within the Archdiocese,” he added.
Ghana’s Electoral Process
Ghanaians are set to cast their votes on December 7 in what will be the country’s ninth general election since the reintroduction of multiparty politics in the early 1990s.
With a track record of peaceful power transitions over the past three decades, Ghana has been known for conducting closely contested yet peaceful elections.
The main contenders for the upcoming election are the current Vice-president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and former head of state, Mr. John Mahama.
Call for Respect of Democratic Processes
In a statement released at the end of their 2024 Plenary Assembly in the Obuasi Diocese, the Episcopal Conference of Ghana reiterated their call for all individuals and institutions to uphold democratic principles in the election of public officials.
“We have consistently appealed for peaceful elections in the country through our communications, pastoral letters, and press releases, emphasizing the importance of non-violence, adherence to democratic processes, and the fostering of unity and national cohesion,” the Bishops affirmed.
