'SEKPELE' NEW TESTAMENT READY (PAGE 35)

THE people in Likpe Traditional Area in the Hohoe Municipality have inaugurated a translated version of the New Testament in their language known as the “Sekpele” language.
The project, which started more than 20 years ago, was executed with the collaboration of the Likpe Traditional Council and the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT) and the Sekpele Language Development Project(SLDP).
In an inaugural address, the Hohoe Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Mr J.B. Mensah, urged religious organisations in the area to incorporate the development of the liturgy in their religion.
He also stressed the need for settlers in the area to learn the language to enhance their social cohesion.
Mr Mensah said a language not developed was regarded as inferior, emphasising that with the breakthrough, they should advance into a higher stage of more literary works, especially by translating the constitution to make it more accessible and readable.
The acting Director of GILLBT, Mr George Maalug said the New Testament had been translated into 20 languages while the Holy Bible had been translated into three languages nationwide to enable the word of God to be spread to every language group.
He said the dedication of the New Testament was not the end by itself but was the beginning of another milestone aimed at transforming lives.
The Project Advisor, Dr Andy Ring commended the people for their commitment to the translation project and said it was a stepping platform to the enhancement of their culture and civilisation of the people.
The Chairman of the launch committee, Nana Aboagye of Likpe Agbozume, said scriptures had never been delivered in their mother tongue, which compelled the people to communicate with God in foreign languages.
He, therefore, said it was a challenge to ensure that the people should take advantage through schools and churches to learn the language with the youth as torchbearers.
In a brief history, the Chairman of the Language Development Committee, Mr W. Y. Bonsi, said it was the consensus of the chiefs in the area to accept a proposal made by Dr Andy Ring after two citizens were appointed to acquire skills in translation.   
He paid tribute to those who led the crusade in developing the language, stressing that it was essential for all churches to preach the sermon in the local language.
Mr Bonsi called for support for the translation of the Old Testament into the local language.