Glory be to God for His mercies and abundant blessings he has shown us.The year 2016 has been purely by God’s grace every step of the way.
The Bible Society of Ghana held a lot of activities in the past year, such as the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Ga Bible and Bible Week celebration in churches across the country.
Cherished donor, through your generous donations towards Bible translations, a good progress has been made with the translation of the Gurune Bible which began in the year 2014. By God’s grace, the first scripture portion in the book of Mark is ready for publication.
The review of the Akan Bibles, that is the Asante, Akuapem and Fante, have been completed and ready for publication in early 2017.
In the area of distribution, the BSG in partnership with the Crossway Publishers International, distributed over 5000 English Standard Version Study Bible to 23 Theological Institutions across the country.
And for the first time, we are meeting the target of distributing 600,000 Bibles exclusive of Bibles distributed for free.
The BSG continues to make a great impact at the United Bible Societies front. To attest to that, the BSG was, at the 2016 World Assembly held in Philadelphia, USA, voted to host the next Assembly in 2022. In November, 2016, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, the Chairman of the BSG Board and Vice Chairman of the UBS Council was also elected as the Chairman of the UBS Council.
Another feat was achieved when I was also re-appointed as Chair of the West African Bible Societies Affinity Group. We give glory to God.
The Bible Society of Ghana also hosted a number of UBS programmes in the country, notably among which are, Story Based Trauma Healing workshop and the Fundraising and communications workshop all held in Accra.
Our relationship with the church in Ghana has been tremendous with more Heads of churches participating in our events and availing themselves to be used at different times.
Over one thousand new members were raised as members of the Society in the year 2016 under an aggressive membership drive embarked on by the Communication and Resource Mobilization Department.
The BSG has been recognized as a Society which has upheld the African Biblical Leadership Initiative Forum and Ghana has now become a reference point for other Bible Societies. The ABLI Forum for the Youth was held in Accra and for the first time also in Kumasi. The participation of the schools was massive at both events.
Thank God for the many volunteers who have willingly supported Bible work. The work is not yet done; we are setting higher targets and objectives for 2017. In every way, God is blessing the Bible work and we will continue to humble ourselves to him.
To all true Bible lovers, let us seek peace, work for peace and pursue peace, as we go to the polls to elect leaders for our nation. Let us not join any conspiracy or activity that will disturb the peace of our nation
I am thankful to the Board, Committees and the hardworking staff and our faithful registered members and collaborators and above all to the Church in Ghana. We wish you the blessings of God
God has greater things for us; let us gird up our loins to embrace His greater blessings, for our vision is not yet realized till we have a Bible in every language and format of choice.
Happy New Year!
Rev. Dr. Erasmus Nii Bonne Odonkor
General Secretary