The Bible Society of Ghana has kicked off a project to translate the Bible into the Nzema language with a stakeholder engagement meeting held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Aiyinase.
The 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.
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 Owideu, 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.
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.
