The Bible Society of Ghana (BSG) has officially kicked off preparations for a comprehensive New Nzema Bible Translation Project following a landmark stakeholder engagement meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Adom Praise Assemblies of God Church in Aiyinase.
The high-level gathering brought together traditional rulers, clergy, language experts, government representatives, and community leaders across Nzemaland to foster community ownership and establish a collaborative foundation for the initiative.
The meeting was chaired by Awulae Kwasi Amekyi III, Paramount Chief of Jomoro and Chairman of the Western Nzema Traditional Authority. Commending the BSG for the timely initiative, Awulae Amekyi III stressed that translating the Scriptures into
contemporary language is vital to keeping the Word of God accessible to future generations. He called on all traditional authorities and citizens to fully support the project.
Outlining the vision behind the initiative, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana, Very Rev. Dr. John Kwesi Addo Jnr, highlighted the evolving nature of human
speech.
“Language is a living entity. With time, words shift in meaning, expressions evolve, and the pulse of daily speech changes between generations,” stated Very Rev. Dr. Addo Jnr. “The goal is not to displace the Nzema language, but to refresh it by
producing a faithful, accurate, and contemporary translation that speaks directly to the heart, mind, and soul of every modern Nzema reader.”
The technical session, led by BSG Translation Consultant Rev. Dr. Kennedy Kwame Owiredu, outlined the factors necessitating a fresh translation over a revision, alongside the translation roadmap—from translator recruitment and drafting to community testing and final publication.
Key traditional leaders present included Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan (Paramount Chief of Bamenko), Obahemaa Manyi III (Queen Mother of Mbem), Obahemaa Ehyia Kpanyinli (Queen Mother of K-Town), and Nana Etwe Kpanyinli VI (Traditional Chief of Aiyinase). Hon. Joseph Agyekum, District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, and representatives from the Bureau of Ghana Languages, the Nzema Writers Association, and major Christian denominations were also in attendance.
The engagement ended with unanimous endorsement from all stakeholders, who pledged their support through prayer, technical expertise, and local advocacy.Following this successful consultation, the Bible Society of Ghana is set to proceed
with preparations toward the official launch of the New Nzema Bible Translation Project in early 2027.