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Bible Society of Ghana Launches 2023 Essay Writing Competition for Senior High Students: “Hope for the Next Generation: The Bible as a Roadmap”

Calling all Senior High Students to Showcase their Insightful Perspectives

May 5,2023 – The Bible Society of Ghana is thrilled to announce the launch of the highly anticipated 2023 Essay Writing Competition exclusively for senior high students. The competition, held under the theme “Hope for the Next Generation: The Bible as a Roadmap,” aims to provide a platform for young writers to explore the profound wisdom and guidance found within the scriptures. The event was inaugurated on May 5, 2023, at the esteemed Bible House.

Senior high students across Ghana are invited to participate and share their unique insights on the theme through a well-crafted essay of 1,000 words. This thought-provoking topic seeks to highlight the enduring hope and guidance that the Bible provides as a roadmap for the next generation, emphasizing its relevance in navigating the challenges and complexities of life.

The Bible Society of Ghana believes in empowering the youth to engage with the scriptures, as it deepens their spiritual journey and equips them with a solid foundation for their future endeavors. This competition serves as an excellent opportunity for senior high students to express their thoughts, creativity, and faith through their writing.

Participants are encouraged to support their arguments with biblical facts, showcasing their understanding and interpretation of the scriptures. The deadline for essay submission is Tuesday, October 31, 2023. All essays should be sent via email to essay@biblesociety-ghana.org. The submissions will be carefully evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges consisting of renowned scholars and experts in biblical studies. The essays will be assessed based on their originality, clarity of thought, effective use of biblical references, and overall coherence.

The winners of the competition will be announced in a special ceremony, where their exceptional work will be recognized and celebrated. Prizes will be awarded to the top participants, including cash rewards, scholarships, and valuable resources to support their educational and spiritual growth. Furthermore, a selection of outstanding essays will be featured on the Bible Society of Ghana’s official website and social media platforms, providing a wider platform for the winners to showcase their talent and insights to a global audience.

The 2023 Essay Writing Competition specifically targets senior high students, as the Bible Society of Ghana aims to engage and inspire the younger generation to deeply understand and embrace biblical principles. By encouraging them to reflect on the theme and share their thoughts, the competition seeks to cultivate a generation that is deeply rooted in faith, equipped to face the challenges of the modern world, and positively impact society.

For detailed information about the 2023 Essay Writing Competition, including submission guidelines and updates, please visit the Bible Society of Ghana’s official website at [insert website] or follow their social media platforms.

The Bible Society of Ghana

Opoku Ware Senior High School Student Wins Bible Society of Ghana’s 2022 Essay Competition

Accolades, Prizes, and Inspiration at the Prestigious Competition

May 5,2023 – The Bible Society of Ghana recently organized the highly anticipated 2022 Essay Competition, a captivating event that showcased the biblical knowledge and intellectual prowess of young minds. The competition concluded with an exhilarating victory by Maxwell Yeboah, a talented student from Opoku Ware Senior High School, who emerged as the overall winner.

Maxwell’s remarkable performance throughout the competition earned him not only the admiration of his fellow participants but also a prestigious array of prizes. As a testament to his achievement, he was awarded a Laptop, a stylish branded Bible Society flask, and a high-quality printer. These valuable prizes aim to equip him with the necessary tools to further his academic journey and encourage continued excellence.

However, Maxwell was not the only star to shine at the event. The Bible Society of Ghana recognized the exceptional talents of all 79 participants by presenting each one with a Youth Interactive Bible. This gesture aimed to foster spiritual growth and encourage a deeper understanding of scripture among the youth. The interactive features of the Bibles allow participants to engage with the biblical text in an immersive and engaging manner, making their learning experience even more enriching.

Moreover, the regional winners were bestowed with an additional prize—the gift of knowledge and technology. Each regional winner was presented with five tablets, a move that not only celebrated their accomplishments but also aimed to bridge the digital divide among young learners. The provision of these tablets ensures that these bright minds have access to educational resources and opportunities that will further enhance their academic pursuits.

The 2022 Essay Competition, organized by the Bible Society of Ghana, represents a vital platform for nurturing young talent, promoting biblical understanding, and encouraging intellectual growth among Ghana’s youth. The event’s success is a testament to the commitment of the Bible Society of Ghana in empowering young individuals and fostering a love for scripture.

The competition not only celebrated the achievements of its participants but also highlighted the importance of providing equal opportunities for education and spiritual development. Through initiatives like the Essay Competition and the distribution of Youth Interactive Bibles, the Bible Society of Ghana aims to create a lasting impact in the lives of young Ghanaians, equipping them with the tools they need to excel academically and deepen their faith.

As the curtain falls on the 2022 Essay Competition, the Bible Society of Ghana extends its gratitude to all participants, teachers, and supporters who contributed to the success of the event. Their dedication and passion for learning have inspired a new generation of young minds to explore and embrace the profound wisdom found within the scriptures.

For further information about the Bible Society of Ghana, its initiatives, or future events, please contact us.

Twenty-nine Seventh-Day Adventist Pastors were taking through the Initial Trauma Healing Training in Cape Coast. These Ministers who mostly work in schools from Junior and Senior Highs Schools as well as the Tertiary intend to form Trauma Healing clubs. This would be the first of its kind towards the youth since the TH program started in Ghana.

Each of these Ministers, has plans of having about 50 person’s in their clubs which would mean that about 1450 youth are being helped from the wounds of their heart. We look forward to the Advance session with them and to share in the impact of the training.

A pilot of the clubs was conducted in a School in Koforidua and reported as follows:

The 2022 academic year saw the launch of a Trauma Healing Club at the SDA Senior High School, Asokore – Koforidua. 60 students were selected and taken through trauma and counselling therapy exercise. The cardinal objective of this club was to offer skills and strategies to assist students with traumatized situations to better understanding, coping with, processing emotions and memories tied to traumatic experiences with the end goal of enabling them to create a healthier and more adaptive meaning of the experience that took place in their lives.

The core lessons necessary for this exercise were all duly covered within a period of 3 months. Students met once every week. The participatory learning module was employed in this exercise. The program ended with a graduation ceremony with a dramatic lesson on “Forgiveness – Pain to the Cross”. The program was very impactful and yielded the results envisaged.

By Samuel Akumatey, GNA

Ho, Oct. 18, GNA – Professor John Owusu Gyapong, Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, has called on leaders to consider themselves divinely chosen, and reflect God’s tenets in their activities towards the development of a more responsible society.

He said religious leaders particularly those of the dominant Christian faith, must lead the way to becoming responsible citizens.

Professor Gyapong was delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2018 African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) forum, organised by the Bible Society of Ghana in Ho, which was on the theme: “Civic Responsibilities and Nation Building.”

He asked them to emulate quality leaders recorded in the Scriptures, and consider their duty as service to God and not mankind, saying “if you see yourselves as leading on behalf of God, it would go a long way to change society”.

Professor Gyapong, also a member of the Bible Society, charged leaders to be bold and stand for the truth in all circumstances.

He further said civic responsibilities were crucial to national development and that the citizenry must show dedication to service for the good of country, saying, environmental degradation was one major indictor of gross irresponsibility, and that addressing such required headstrong leaderships supported by people who were willing to work towards reversing negative trends in society.

The Reverend Dr Erasmus Odonkor, General Secretary of the Bible Society, lamented that despite proliferation of Churches in the Country, moral standards left much to be desired and underscored the need for all to come together to build the nation on integrity and responsibility.

He also asked leaders to find ways of exhibiting love, honesty and transparency in their line of work.

Rev. Father William Kornu of the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church said the nation did not need “many Churches or Christians”, but rather people living according to the Word of God truthfully, and commended the Bible Society for targeting the youth for spiritual and attitudinal change.

Rev. Seth Mawutor, Volta Regional Chairman of the Christian Council Ghana, appealed to Christians to renew their minds and be committed to the socioeconomic development of the nation.

The forum was organised by the Bible Society of Ghana, a branch of the United Bible Society, formed in 1965 to translate, publish and distribute the Holy Scriptures.

This year’s forum brings together leadership in government, the Legislature, Judiciary, Church organizations, industry, education, and the media among others.

GNA

The Bible Society of Ghana has appointed a new General Secretary effective 1^st February 2023. The newly appointed General Secretary, Very Rev. Dr. John Kwesi Addo Jnr takes over from Rev. Dr. Enoch Aryee-Atta who ended his tenure on 31^st January 2023.

The Very Rev. Dr. Addo Jnr is Minister of the Lord with the Methodist Church Ghana and with extensive years of rich experience in Christian leadership. He has worked in various leadership roles and distinguished himself in several offices held throughout his ministry in the Methodist Church Ghana. Rev. Addo Jnr brings both a strong theological background and a passionate focus on Christian missions. Very Rev. Dr. Addo is a Christian leader with orientation towards pragmatic and collaborative leadership, employing awesome people skills to bring out the best in others for the achievement of organizational goals.

A hearty congratulations to Very Rev. Dr. Kwesi Addo Jnr on his appointment. We pray for fruitful working relations and tenure.

By Samuel Akumatey, GNA

Ho, Oct. 18, GNA – Professor John Owusu Gyapong, Vice Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, has called on leaders to consider themselves divinely chosen, and reflect God’s tenets in their activities towards the development of a more responsible society.

He said religious leaders particularly those of the dominant Christian faith, must lead the way to becoming responsible citizens.

Professor Gyapong was delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2018 African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI) forum, organised by the Bible Society of Ghana in Ho, which was on the theme: “Civic Responsibilities and Nation Building.”

He asked them to emulate quality leaders recorded in the Scriptures, and consider their duty as service to God and not mankind, saying “if you see yourselves as leading on behalf of God, it would go a long way to change society”.

Professor Gyapong, also a member of the Bible Society, charged leaders to be bold and stand for the truth in all circumstances.

He further said civic responsibilities were crucial to national development and that the citizenry must show dedication to service for the good of country, saying, environmental degradation was one major indictor of gross irresponsibility, and that addressing such required headstrong leaderships supported by people who were willing to work towards reversing negative trends in society.

The Reverend Dr Erasmus Odonkor, General Secretary of the Bible Society, lamented that despite proliferation of Churches in the Country, moral standards left much to be desired and underscored the need for all to come together to build the nation on integrity and responsibility.

He also asked leaders to find ways of exhibiting love, honesty and transparency in their line of work.

Rev. Father William Kornu of the Ho Diocese of the Catholic Church said the nation did not need “many Churches or Christians”, but rather people living according to the Word of God truthfully, and commended the Bible Society for targeting the youth for spiritual and attitudinal change.

Rev. Seth Mawutor, Volta Regional Chairman of the Christian Council Ghana, appealed to Christians to renew their minds and be committed to the socioeconomic development of the nation.

The forum was organised by the Bible Society of Ghana, a branch of the United Bible Society, formed in 1965 to translate, publish and distribute the Holy Scriptures.

This year’s forum brings together leadership in government, the Legislature, Judiciary, Church organizations, industry, education, and the media among others.

GNA

By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA

Effia (W/R), Oct. 20, GNA – Mr David Ayi Hammond, the Ambassador of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative (ABLI), said little stride has been made in the area of integrity, morality, spirituality and quality leadership despite the multiplicity of churches.

“We cannot to go to church, listen to the gospel truth and decide to do otherwise… We, as church members, must start doing things right and follow the good example of a master teacher and leader-Jesus, who was himself humble and a servant leader,” he added.

Mr Hammond, at the 2017 ABLI Ghana Forum in Takoradi, on the theme: “Responsible Citizenship; The Hall Mark of a Servant Leader,” said it was about time the society and the church, in particular, behaved as the salt of the world.

The African Biblical Leadership forum, organised by the Bible Society of Ghana, is an advocacy programme with focus on leadership in Africa. The ABLI sought to promote leadership transformation using the Bible as a tool for change.

The forum is also used annually to re-echo the need for hard work, initiatives, mutual trust and respect and accountability at all levels of work.

He said the church was gradually failing society with the over concentration on “money business” rather than the salvation and truth, which brought lots of blessings to mankind.

Mr Hammond said the church must revive spirituality among its fold to translate into the overall body of the society.

He said the polaristion of churches had not done any good to the country, particularly the independent churches, with focus on “money business,” neglecting the core values and principles of good Christian living.

Professor Jerry Kuma, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology, who was the guest speaker, said a good leader was the one who inspired confidence among his followers who, in turn, led lives that inspired their contemporaries.

He said in religious, social, educational, industrial, and institutional lives among others, people looked for dedicated, selfless, disciplined, spiritual and sacrificial leaders who would help in building better lives.

“Anyone in leadership role is a servant and greatness comes through servant-hood,” he said.

The ABLI vision emphasises the Biblical values of integrity, compassion and justice in leadership towards a positive transformation of the nation.

It believes that to achieve the objectives of servant leadership, there is the need to improve on the systems for appointing leaders in all facets of society through effective participation.

Reverend Dr Erasmus Donkor, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana, said the church and other relevant partners must recognise the need to institute counselling, mentoring and career guidance sessions for the youth.

He said the church must demonstrate a stronger leadership role by becoming the conscience of morality and promoting justice with a collective voice in its condemnation of blatant exploitation and corruption, which was deeply entrenched in the communities.

Rev. Donkor said building strong Biblical principles and the inculcation of deeper sense of responsibility was key in national development and transformation.

GNA

God’s Word through African Eyes.
The Africa Study Bible brings together 350 contributors from over 50 countries, providing a unique African perspective. It’s an all-in-one course in biblical content, theology, history, and culture, with special attention to the African context. Each feature was planned by African leaders to help readers grow strong in Jesus Christ by providing understanding and instruction on how to live a good and righteous life:

• Over 2400 notes explain the Bible, inspire readers to apply truth to everyday life, teach Christian values and doctrine, and more.
• “Touchpoints” and “Proverbs and Stories” give African perspective on the Bible and also show parallels with African wisdom.
• A narrative timeline highlights God’s work in Africa

Product Details
Published: May 9, 2017. Binding: Hardcover/ Bonded Leather/ Faux Leather
Prices
Hardcover             – GHC 95.00
Bonded Leather    –  GHC180.00
Faux Leather        – GHC 160.00