Tafi-Atome (V/R), Feb. 27, GNA – The Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT) in collaboration with Tegbo Language Committee have launched the Tegbo New Testament Bible.
Tegbo is the language of the Chiefs and people of Tafi, in the Afadjato South District of the Volta region.
Mr Sylvester Kwame Nkrumah, Executive Director of GILLBT, speaking at the launch said “the word of God in the heart language speaks better than the foreign language” and enhanced the lives of the people.
He disclosed that the Institute used seven years to produce the material and urged the people to take advantage of GILLBT’s initiative to produce other worthy and educational materials in their language to help accelerate the growth of the area.
The Executive Director said the word of God played a key role in bringing unity among people and positively positioning their lives.
« It is true we may belong to different denominations; we may disagree on many social and political matters. We may compete with each other in economic ventures, but when it comes to the word of God, we are one,” he said.
He urged the people to demonstrate commitment to the Word, read it always, and allow it to dwell in them so they could serve as a light to other people and bring them to the true and divine God.
« The word of God in Tegbo is that lamp for the journey through life. Let us, therefore, put the word on a lamp stand by reading it, meditating on it, applying it to our daily lives, and reaching out to many others,” he stated.
Mr Nkrumah said the word of God could bring the necessary transformation into the life of an individual, family and the society at large, therefore, there was the need for all to pay particular attention to it.
He was grateful to Tegbo Language Committee for its effective role in overseeing the administration of the programme, reviewing the draft translation and making necessary suggestions to ensure that the work was done qualitatively.
Reverend Manfred Kwasi Adjah of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Kpong, in dedicating the Bible, commended GILLBT and its partners for the project, saying it was a great work that had been birthed and fulfilled at the right time.
He called on the people to endeavour to make themselves available and received the word wholeheartedly so that it would transform them into new creations and « new people of Bagbo.”
« I strongly believe that the gospel translated into our mother tongue will empower us to do more for God, our nation, the world, our neighbours, and ourselves,” he added.
Reverend Adjah said the word of God had the power to break down barriers of ignorance, poverty and disease, urging the people to walk by it.
Togbe Dabra V, Chief of Tafi Atome, could not hide his joy while expressing his gratitude to GILLBT and all who in diverse ways contributed to the success of the work.
He described the occasion as a milestone in the lives of the Chiefs and people of Tafi, and would forever be remembered.
Togbe Dabra urged his people to read the word saying it would guide them on how to conduct themselves in a manner that is pleasing to God.
