GILLBT launches Bimoba Bible

Bunkpurugu, (N/R), Nov. 22, GNA - Ghana Institute of Linguistics Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT) in the Northern Region on Saturday launched the Bimoba Bible at Bunkpurugu in the Bunkpurugu/Yonyoo District, GILLBT translated the old and new testaments into the Moor language of the Bimoba people, bringing to three the number of languages the organisation had translated the Bible into in the region.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Justin Frempong, Northern Regional Director of GILLBT urged the Bimoba people to let the Bible to spearhead their spiritual, social and economic transformation.

He noted that if the people used the Bible properly, it would bring sound moral advancement in all spheres of their lives, saying, "the word of God is a light and where ever it goes, darkness is expelled".

Mr Frempong therefore, urged them to let the Bible to serve as a catalyst that would make people testify one day that since they came to know God's word they had not known burglary and stealing in the society. He said, "because of the word of God, let all inter-clan conflicts in the Bimba land come to an end and let no old woman be falsely labelled a witch".

He advised the people that the Bible enjoins them to obey and abide by societal laws, respect authority and pay their taxes regularly as well as contribute their quota towards the development of their communities.

The GILLBT Director said GILLBT believes that the word of God would helpe the Bimoba people to become responsible citizens, who would take their duties and obligations to the state seriously. He urged the people to read, meditate, teach and obey the Bible, saying those who cannot read should hear it read to them so that they can store the wisdom and treasure found in it in their hearts to improve their lives".

Mrs Mary Steele, an Irish and translator of the Bimoba Bible, said the Bible was made possible as a result of a fruitful partnership between the Bimoba people, the people of Northern Ireland and the church.

She said all these groups of people made tremendous investments in prayers and in gifts and thanked them for their sacrifices. She said the support for the translation of the Bible was a demonstration of the type of sacrifice that Jesus Christ exemplified by laying down his life for the human race.

Mr David Konla, District Chief Executive of East Mamprusi in a speech, appealed to the people to renew their commitment with the Bible to improve their bodies, souls, the environment and tolerance.

He noted that with the introduction of the Bible in Moor, the people would come to appreciate nature and stop the wanton destruction of the environment and the excessive intake of alcohol among the youth. He appealed to the youth, who had not gone to school to take advantage of the non-formal literacy programmes to acquire reading skills to enable read the Bible and understand it properly.

Reverend Solomon Nyaaba, Northern Regional Superintendent of the Assembly of God's Church, who dedicated the Bibles advised the people to use the Bible to chart a new life for themselves.