GILLBT advances Bible translation efforts to deepen faith and boost literacy in Ghana

The Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT) continues to make remarkable progress in translating the Holy Bible into various Ghanaian languages, a mission aimed at advancing Christian evangelism while promoting literacy across the nation.

Recognized as Ghana’s oldest Christian non-profit organization dedicated to Bible translation, GILLBT has successfully completed translations in about forty-seven local languages. Out of this number, twenty languages have full New Testaments, while fifteen others contain both the Old and New Testaments.

At the heart of GILLBT’s mission is the belief that every person should have access to the Word of God in their own language. This approach helps individuals connect deeply with Scripture and experience their faith in a more personal way. The organization works by studying and documenting local languages to create alphabets and writing systems, translating the Bible into these languages through a process that can take between five and ten years, and promoting literacy and education using the translated materials.

GILLBT’s work has gone beyond the spiritual realm to support national education efforts. Its literacy initiatives have complemented the work of the Ghana Education Service and the National Commission for Civic Education, especially in improving reading skills and civic understanding across local communities.

Despite its success, GILLBT continues to face several challenges, including limited financial support and the linguistic complexity of translating into lesser-known languages. To sustain its operations, the institute introduced the “Day of Prayer” initiative, an outreach program that connects GILLBT with churches across Ghana. Through this event, the organization shares its mission, encourages prayer, and seeks financial support for its ongoing translation projects.

The initiative has received strong backing from major denominations such as the Methodist Church Ghana, the Anglican Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Church of Pentecost. These partnerships have strengthened the institute’s work and reinforced unity within the Christian community.

Copies of the translated Bibles are available for sale, with prices varying according to printing batches. Earlier editions are sold for about twenty Ghana cedis, while newer prints may cost one hundred cedis or more.

Through its continued dedication, GILLBT remains a cornerstone in Ghana’s effort to combine faith with literacy, ensuring that future generations can both read and experience the Word of God in the languages closest to their hearts.