THE EWE BIBLE LAUNCH

Agbenya La, Biblica’s contemporary Ewe Bible translation started in the year 1976. The purpose of the project was to give Ewe speakers an alternate Bible that is easy to read, easy to understand, accurate, and in a contemporary language.

The philosophy of the translation and the source text was based on the New Living Translation, the New International Version (NIV), and the Biblia Hebraica/UBS Greek New Testament. The New Testament was launched in 1986, and the Full Bible in 2006, after thirty (30) years of hard work. However, the Full Bible had various formatting issues, and also, shortly after its publication in 2006, a new Ewe orthography came into being, and this, coupled with the formatting errors, compelled the Biblica Ghana Office to call for a revision of Agbenya La in line with the new orthography.  In May 2012, the review of Agbenya La began with a team of translators, led by Rev. Samuel K. Ntumy. The whole process of translation, beginning with retranslation of the script, review of the scripts, and the external reading as well as the finalization of the script for publishing ended in December 2020.

Agbenya La was launched on Friday 9^th July 2021 at the Dela Cathedral of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) in Ho, Volta Region, in collaboration with The Christian Council of Ghana, The Ghana Pentecostal & Charismatic Council, The Ho Area Ministers Association, The International Clergy Association & All Christian Churches. It was chaired by The Rt. Rev. Dr. Lt. Col. (Rtd.) B.D.K. Agbeko, Moderator of the General Assembly, EP Church, Ghana.

Other attendees of the launch were: Chiefs and traditional leaders of Ho, led by Togbuiga Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of the Kpenoe Traditional Area, Biblica’s Vice President for Africa (Mrs. Lydia Munene), Partnership Director for Africa (Mrs. Rose Birenge), both from Kenya, heads of major church denominations in Ho and other parts of the Volta Region, Pastors and individuals, Forum of Bible Agencies (FOBA) member organizations, partners of Biblica, Translators of the  Bible and many others.

In his remarks, the Chairman for the launch was glad to chair an occasion as important as outdooring the most important book in the world: “The Bible”.

Rev. Samuel K. Ntumy, the Consultant for the project who spoke on behalf of the Translation Team gave some of the differences between the old Agbenya La and the Revised Agbenya La and also mentioned that the new orthography used in the translation is accepted by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) so, even though Agbenya La is a spiritual book, it is also accepted in academia.

In her speech, Mrs. Munene praised God for the launch of the Revised Agbenya La; a product of many years of hard work, great sacrifice, and dedication by a team of godly men and women whose objective was to produce an accurate, easy to read, and understand translation in the heart language of every Ewe speaker. She said the translation was possible because individuals and families including Biblica’s CEO  Mr. Geof Morin,  and others gave money to support the project. She appreciated them and asked for God’s blessings upon them. She called on the Church to partner with Biblica to fulfill the mission of reaching the world with God’s word and announced that both the text and the audio of Agbenya La were available on YouVersion and Airscape for free downloads. She concluded with a charge from Joshua 1:8 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful”.

Seven translators of Agbenya La received plaque awards.

We give glory to God for the success of this Bible launch; despite all the challenges His word was not hindered. Agbenya La has been well received and highly accepted by the Ewe community with pastors and church leaders calling for more copies to do ministry.