Translate Bible into more local languages - Bible Society of Ghana urged

The Bible Society of Ghana (BSG) has been urged to translate the Bible into more Ghanaian languages and revise existing ones to meet the dynamism of language and culture. 

The former Rector of the Akrofi Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, Rev. Professor B.Y. Quarshie, who made the call said though the BSG had done commendable work in making the scriptures available and affordable, there was a need to expand access through local languages.  

He was speaking during the society's 60th anniversary lecture last Friday.

Delivering the lecture, Rev. Pro. Quarshie said: “I envision a time when every Christian in Ghana will hold a mother-tongue Bible, not just in English, but in their own language, whether in print or online," urging churches of all denomination including historic, Pentecostal, charismatic, and African independent churches, to contribute actively to Bible work and support BSG’s mission.

“This is not the task of one denomination or society alone. Every church must join hands.

The Bible Society’s ministry is too important for our national future,” he said.

BSG @ 60

Since its establishment in 1965, the BSG has spearheaded the translation of the Bible into Ghanaian languages, making God’s Word accessible to millions across the country.

The lecture formed part of a series of activities marking BSG’s 60th anniversary. It was on the theme: “60 Years of the Bible Society of Ghana: Revitalising Our Bible Ministry for Greater Impact.”

The LectureIt drew participants from various Christian denominations, the clergy, lay members and traditional rulers.

The anniversary celebrations which began in April this year, among other things, aimed at distributing 50,000 Bibles to schoolchildren, as well as community engagements and regional celebrations.

It was climaxed with a thanksgiving service at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), last Saturday.

Commendation

Rev. Prof. Quarshie lauded BSG’s decades-long contribution to making the Bible available and affordable; however, he emphasised that the next phase of its ministry must focus on “transforming lives, not just distributing Bibles”.

“For 60 years, the BSG has made great strides in producing devotionals, translations, audio Bibles, and literacy programmes. But the real challenge before us now is not simply to own or read the Bible, it is to live it,” he said.

He emphasised that language was more than communication; it was identity, culture and values.

“If we lose our languages, we lose ourselves. God did not make a mistake when He gave us our mother tongues. He continues to speak them today.

“The mother-tongue Bible is the bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of the Ghanaian Christian.

It is through this bridge that biblical values can take root in our society,” Prof. Quarshie said. 

Commitment

The Chairman of the BSG Council, Rt Rev. Dr Daniel Sylvanus Torto, reaffirmed BSG’s commitment to ensuring that every Ghanaian had access to the Holy Scriptures at an affordable price.

He described the six-decade journey as “a true demonstration of nationwide commitment,” adding that communities across the country had marked the anniversary with diverse activities, from Bible readings to thanksgiving services.

“For six decades, the Bible Society of Ghana has been at the forefront of Bible work,” he said.

“We have translated the Scriptures into numerous local languages, and we are still working on it. It is our prayer that we receive the needed resources to continue this work,” Rt Rev. Dr Torto said.

Tribute

A Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairperson of the 60th anniversary lecture, Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, lauded the BSG for six decades of dedicated service and praised the devotion of volunteers who have sustained its mission since 1965.

She described the society’s work as “the very first step to getting people to honour and reverence God”.

Reflecting on her personal impact of Scripture, Prof. Mensa-Bonsu stressed the importance of instilling biblical wisdom from an early age.