GILLBT has done numerous mother-tongue translations in Ghanaian languages, including the Scriptures, government documents, and materials for general public awareness-raising and information such as on health and gender issues.
Translation workshop with translation consultant
The New Testament has been translated into 28 Ghanaian languages and the Old Testament into five. GILLBT currently has four New Testament (NT) and 11 Old Testament (OT) projects in progress. The Nawuri NT is being typeset; the Sisaala OT is ready for typesetting, and the Kusaal and Nafaanra OT projects are nearing completion of consultant checking.
We have also helped to review and translate the 1992 abridged Ghanaian Constitution into 30 local languages. In collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers, we also translated the ‘Rights of Ghanaian Women’ into selected local languages.
Over the past 50 years, the dedicated services of GILLBT’s expert consultants and technical staff have contributed greatly to success in our tasks of language development and Bible translation. Throughout 2012, we are marking this milestone with a series of events to celebrate of our Golden Jubilee.
Impact of Bible translation
Reading the New Testament at its dedication celebration
When people are able to read the Scriptures in their mother tongue, it is like a door being opened or a light coming on. Church groups are set up and established churches are strengthened. When people become Christians, they join a family that bridges differences of language and culture.
As a chief said, presented with a Bible in his mother tongue, “This is the greatest gift you have given us, God’s Word.”
Dedicating our 25th New Testament
The Nkonya New Testament dedication was held at Nkonya Ntumda on 20 November 2010. It took 22 years to accomplish this great work.
Rev Dr Francis Amenu, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, with the assistance of Clerk, Rev Osiakwa, blessed the New Testaments and received them for use.
Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah, GILLBT Director, congratulated the staff, donors, and the Chief and elders on completion of this divine task.
Dedicating our 5th complete Bible
After the dedication of their New Testament in 1989, it was another 21 years of hard work before the Chumburung people of the Northern Region received their complete Bible on 25 November 2010.
Rev Fr Dr Joseph Nsiah and Rev Fr Semanenke, who jointly blessed the Bibles, are indigenes and Roman Catholic priests of the Yendi and Jasikan Dioceses respectively.
Dr Paul Opoku-Mensah, GILLBT Director, challenged the community to continue the process of transformation of lives.
