Akuapem-Adukrom, Ghana – The Bible Society of Ghana has taken a significant step towards making the Bible more accessible to Okere-speaking communities by launching the Gospel of Mark in the Okere language.
This translation project is part of an ongoing effort to translate the entire Bible into the Okere language, aiming to enhance the understanding and propagation of the Gospel within these communities.
The launch ceremony emphasized the importance of accessing scripture in one’s native language. “Everybody has the right to access scripture, and preferably in his or her mother tongue,” stated Very Rev. John Kwesi Addo, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana.
He highlighted the significance of understanding God’s word in one’s own language, stating, “Putting the scripture in the language to enable the people to understand God better and strengthen their faith spirituality, and most importantly, to deepen their comprehension of the word.”
Addo also expressed his belief that local languages should be utilized in various spheres of life, including the legislature.
The Akuapem Nifahene and Adukromhene, Osuodumgya Otutu Ababio V, commended the tireless efforts of the translation committee and urged the community to support the project financially to ensure the completion of the entire Bible translation.
The Member of Parliament for the Okere Constituency, Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth, expressed his appreciation for the translation team and called upon the Bible Society of Ghana to expedite the development of an Okere alphabet.
He emphasized the importance of incorporating the Okere language into the school curriculum within the language-speaking communities.
