By: Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Bible Society of Ghana has printed special copies of the Holy Bible targeting the youth towards positively influencing the Ghanaian society.
The Society has adopted the ‘Catch Them Young’ strategy focusing on Junior High Schools where 200, 000 of the Bible are to be distributed freely to with the aim of wining them to Christ with a long term aim of using them to address social deviance tendencies such as crime, alcoholism, drug abuse and sexual immorality that are destroying the fabric of the society.
Additionally, a special Bible is to be made highly affordable to other members of the society, particularly older youth, in consonance with the theme of the anniversary celebration, which is “60@60, Share the Word, Transform Lives.”
A Member of the Oversight Committee of the Bible Society, John Akowuah, disclosed this in the Ashanti region at the launch of the 60th anniversary of the Bible Society of Ghana at Tafo near Kumasi.
The Bible Society of Ghana was officially registered under the 1962 Trustees Act of Ghana as a non-denominational, non governmental organization Christian entity.
It is the largest Bible distribution organization in the country with membership comprising bible believing individuals, mostly Christians, who offer voluntary services like annual subscription as well as prayer intercessions for others and the nation.
It began full operation as the National Bible Society in 1966 and two years later, became a member of the United Bible Society.
Within the 60-year period, the Bible Society of Ghana has undertaken translation of the complete Holy Bible into 11 of the local dialects such as Asante Twi, Akuapem Twi and Ga.
The Society’s mission is to translate, publish and distribute the Holy Bible at a highly subsidized cost to make it affordable and accessible towards transforming lives and society for the Kingdom of God.
Its latest achievement is the publication of the complete Bible in both the Twi and English languages as a single document for better understanding by the readers.
It was for this and other reasons that the Congregation of the Tafo Branch of the House of Power Ministry International near Kumasi celebrated when they hosted the launch of Diamond Jubilee of the establishment of the Society.
Mr. Akowuah said, for the Bible Society of Ghana to realize its target of reaching out to as many youth in Ghana with a special version of the Holy Bible, under its ’60@60′ strategy, including distribution of 200, 000 copies of the Bible to Junior High School pupils across Ghana at no cost, the organization needs the financial contribution by spirited individuals, churches and corporate entities.
The Oversight Committee Member explained that, the aim of the project is use the youth to positively change society for God.
Mr. Akowuah urged also as many Christians as possible to enrol unto the voluntary membership of the Bible Society with an annual fee of GHC20.
Members constitute Prayer networks to interceded for themselves, families and the nation and are entitled to Certificates and other benefits.
The Ashanti Regional Manager of the Bible Society of Ghana, Samuel Adu-Amoah, noted that, during the 60-year period, parts of the Bible, especially the New Testament, has been translated into many other local languages and become the foundation for the establishment of different Christ-centered churches
Mr. Adu-Amoahdisclosed that, the focus of the Society from now is to make the Holy Bible available and readable in every local dialect in Ghana to further promote the Kingdom of God.
He noted with pride the positive impact the Bible Society of Ghana has made on Christendom and individual lives.
The Head Pastor of the Tafo Branch of the House of Power Ministry International, Reverend James Amoah, described the Holy Bible as a transformative document which publication must be supported by spirited individuals and organizations.
Rev. Amoah therefore called on individuals, especially Christians and Christian organizations to contribute financially towards sustenance of the Bible Society and to enable it fulfill its mission of publishing, distributing and making the Holy Bible easily accessible across the country to expand the Kingdom of God.
Rev. Amoah said, aside from being the basis for every church in the country, it is the main reference document for faithful Christians and religious organizations.
He commended the Society for its contribution to Ghana’s progress so far.
While expressing gratitude to the Bible Society of Ghana for choosing the House of Power Ministry International for the launch of its Diamond Jubilee, the Head Pastor entreated Christiana to put into practice what they read from the Holy Bible and learn from Church as commanded by Jesus Christ.
