Sunyani – The Bible Society of Ghana is poised to unveil the Bono-Twi Bible at a ceremony scheduled for July 28, 2024, in Sunyani, marking a significant milestone in efforts to enhance access to the Scriptures in local languages.
Reverend Dr. Isaac Boaheng, a lead translator, emphasized during a press briefing in Sunyani that the initiative aimed to make the word of God accessible to all, especially in languages spoken by diverse communities across Ghana. He stressed that reading the Bible in one’s own dialect fosters a deeper understanding and application of its teachings in daily life.
Highlighting the developmental journey of the Bono-Twi Bible project, Rev. Dr. Boaheng disclosed that the translation effort commenced in October 2017 and is projected for completion by 2027. The initial phase, spanning four years, focused on translating and publishing the New Testament, with the subsequent six years dedicated to completing the Old Testament alongside the New, culminating in a comprehensive Bono-Twi Bible.
Prior to the commencement of the project, Rev. Dr. Boaheng noted the absence of a standardized orthography for the Bono dialect, necessitating the creation of a distinct orthographic framework for the Bono-Twi Bible. This involved consultations and extensive fieldwork to establish a unified orthography akin to that of the Fante dialect, incorporating unique characters such as ‘v’ and ‘z’.
Addressing the dynamic nature of language and the challenge of linguistic diversity within Bono-Twi speaking communities, Rev. Dr. Boaheng underscored the complexities encountered during translation. He acknowledged that while efforts were made to accommodate various sub-dialectical nuances, it was inevitable that some variations might not be fully captured in the final text.
Rev. Dr. Boaheng cited the example of selecting a standardized definite article (‘he’) from multiple options (‘he’, ‘ke’, ‘no’) based on a comprehensive field survey indicating community preference. He announced the completion and publication of all 27 books of the New Testament under the title Bono-Twi Apam Foforo.
In its broader mission to make the Bible accessible across Ghana’s linguistic landscape, the Bible Society of Ghana has undertaken nine prior translations in local dialects such as Asante-Twi, Akuapem, Fante, Ga, Ewe, Esahie, Dagbani, Damgbe, and Nzema. The Society continues to pursue ongoing projects in dialects including Bono-Twi, Effutu, Gurundi, and Okere.
The launch of the Bono-Twi Bible represents a pivotal step towards enabling greater access and understanding of the Scriptures among the Bono community, contributing to spiritual enrichment and cultural preservation.