By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog
Bolgatanga, Nov 18, GNA – The Bible Society of Ghana, a non-denominational and inter-denominational Christian Organization has launched a Gurene New Testament Bible to facilitate the spread of the word of God among the Gurene speaking people in the Upper East Region and beyond.
The launch of the Bible, done in Bolgatanga, was part of the Society’s mandate to reach every Home with a Bible in a local language they can read and understand, while focusing on the need to develop effective programmes using all forms of media through which it can attain its set objectives and facilitate Bible distribution and usage.
Reverend Dr. Enoch Aryee-Atta disclosed that, it cost the Society $143,406 to translate the New Testament into any local language, considering the fact that it cost $18 to translate a verse and there were 7,967 verses in the New Testament.
He said the society had so far translated the Bible into nine major Ghanaian languages including;, Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi, Ga, Mfantse, Ewe, Dagbani, Dangme, Nzema and Esahie and was currently working on the Gurene old Testament, Dagaare old Testament and Bono New Testament.
Rev. Simon A. Asige, Rtd, Minister, World Life Temple and speaker for the occasion, appealed to Churches and Schools to make good use of the Bible by inculcating the habit of reading among children through competitions.
“It is important we all own this bible as God has allowed us to hear him in our own language and I’m appealing to individuals, Schools, Traditional Leaders and Churches to allow our children to read this bible and compete among themselves to be abreast with the word of God”, he stated.
Reverend Professor John David Ekem, Translation Consultant of the Bible Society of Ghana who affirmed the Gurene New Testament said the Bible was of high standard as necessary consultations were made regarding its literature and recommended all people familiar with the language to patronize it.
He said upon a request by the Catholic and other Churches to have the Bible translated, the Bible society of Ghana in 2014 conducted a Socio-Linguistic survey and the report confirmed the desire of the people to have the Bible in Gurene.
“The translation commenced in 2015 with three full time Translators with support from 14 Reviewers and finally the end product being the Bible in Gurene”, he added.
Mr Stephen Yakubu, the Regional Minister, expressed gratitude to the Bible Society of Ghana for translating the Bible into the Gurune language which a large percentage of the people in the region are said to be familiar with.
GNA