UE/R: 915 Gurune Language Learners graduated by the Bible Society of Ghana and the Swedish Mission in Telansi in the Upper East Region

By Raymond Wegwi.

The Bible Society of Ghana and the Swedish Mission Council (SMC), has organized a graduation ceremony for 915 pupils, who under gone a one year study of reading and writing in the Gurune Language successfully in Tongo, in the Telansi District of the Upper East Region . In his keynote address, the Programs Manager of the Bible Society of Ghana, Rev. Samuel Affel, described the occasion not just a ceremony but celebration of courage, perseverance and transformation, because the vision of the the Bible Society of Ghana is to make the Bible available and to engage people with the word of God in the language they best understand. But how can people be engaged with the word if they can’t read it, and that is why they consider literacy, not just a skill, but ministry

According to him, this graduation marks a significant achievement in their shared journey with the SMC , whose unwavering partnership has been instrumental in bringing literacy and the light of scripture to the Gurune-speaking community and express their deepest gratitude to  SMC for their faith, generosity and dedication to the mission of transformation through literacy and biblical engagement. He commended the graduants for taken the initiative to learn, to grow and to become better equipped, not only for their own personal development, but for the benefit of their community, adding that by learning to read in their mother’s tongue, they have unlocked the doors to scripture, to knowledge and to lasting impact. He further stated that, their graduation is celebration of empowerment as they have now equipped not just to read the words, but to understand truths, that can transform lives and now, they are part of a new generation that will help preserve the Gurune Language,share God’s word, and support others.

Rev. Samuel Affel acknowledged the efforts of the facilitators, local church leaders and the community mobilizers, for their commitment, passion and hard work , that made the difference and their international partners, especially the SMC, for believing in their vision and walking with them, till the end, and called for a continuous engagement and collaboration to raise more readers, leaders and disciples, and concluded with a quote from Proverbs 2:6 that reads ; ” For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge of understand”.

Madam Akolbire Sandra, from Upper East Regional Complementary Education Agency (CEA), of GES, express their sincerest gratitude to the Bible Society of Ghana for the opportunity given to them to be part of their success stories, working together over the years. She underscored the importance of the knowledge being impacted into the young ones, that nobody can take it from them, which is better than money and advised them to use it wisely to the advantage of them and their community and share it, and pledge GES’s unwavering support. Mr. Alenga Maxwell Ninonya (Tindaana), who represented the Telansi District Director of Education, commended Bible Society of Ghana and SMC for the great works they have been doing in complementing GES in the district, adding that service to the people is service to God, and pledged their continue support to them. Mr. Sandow Kayuri, of Telansi office of NCCE , admonised the graduants to make good use of the rare opportunity as a future leaders, because it’s more than money and many people could not read and write in their mother’s tongue as they have not gotten that opportunity.

One of the facilitators, Mrs Apuakasi Eunice Apangamasime, a teacher by profession,who spoke with GBC URA Radio News,  said the literacy classes are being organized during school hours in her school and Saturdays, for those who are interested and the duration is always one year . According to her the pupils are always available to learn and as facilitators,they always try their best to motivate them to be coming for the classes, however they only challenges are that, when it’s get to the raining season some of them go to farm for people for money and therefore will not be regular again and some of the parents too who want their children to be rather taught in teleni, instead of Gurune, but that issue has been resolved.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Aniah Francis, who was very impressed with the performance of the pupils reading  and singing the Ghana National Anthem in Gurune, thanked all the organizers for the great job and pleaded with SMC to provide them with more educational materials and extend the project years and scope to cover more communities in the district. He informed the pupils that ,GES is implementing the study of Gurune language in all public schools and to be examinable subject, and this will help them to study the Gurune Language to the university level.  In all, 915 pupils  between the ages of 12 to 14 years were successfully graduated this year and were presented with certificates. The program was interpersed with speaking, singing, dancing and other activities only in Gurune to the admiration of the gathering.