UE/R: SOCO PROJECT FACILITATORS URGED TO WORK HARD FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROJECT – DCE NABDAM
BY: RAYMOND WEGWI
The Bible Society of Ghana in partnership with Sweden Mission Council and other stakeholders has organized their annual world International Literacy Day in Upper East Region with this year’s theme: Promoting Multilingual Education, Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace .
The national Coordinator of Bible Society of Ghana, Sweden Mission Council of English and Gurune Literacy Project, Mr Gawobunah Kobla, said even though International Literacy Day celebration began in 1960s, he was grateful with the partnership which started 2019 in Western North and the 7 Gurune speaking districts of Upper East Region with the translation of the old Bible into central Gurune language and other languages and now working on the new Bible to make it complete soon. He said to enable the people to be able to read and write in their own mother tongue, the have introduced this literacy project to help those who would always wants to read the word of God or any material in the local language directly in their local language to enable them do so without a problem and every year they graduate over 1,500 people at the ages of 6 years old and over after an intensive 9 months teaching and learning by their facilitators after which those who qualify to be enrolled into formal school will do so in augmenting the efforts of Complimentary Education Agency of Ghana Education Service. He was very excited with the reception and the good news that, an organization called BONABOTO has secured accreditation for the Gurune language to be introduced into 2024/2025 school academic year and looking forward to that golden day.
The Coordinator of the Gurune Literacy Project, Madam Sophie Hargemark, who is also from Sweden Bible Society and Sweden Mission Council ,stated that, she was very grateful for the partnership adding that it is not only Bible engagement, reading and writing in Gurune language but to also make the reading materials available hence the provision of the funding from Sweden’s government. According to her, literacy is the first step out of poverty and deprivation, to independence and taking charge of ones own life, self empowerment and opener of the door to human rights, to the educators, emphasizing that to read and write in their own language helps them to prefer and develop their language and culture and make them proud and confident not just as an individual but the whole Ghanaian community. Madam Sophie Hargemark also admonished the graduates that, by giving themselves the opportunity to learn how to read and write in Gurune language, they have given themselves a chance to become whoever and whatever they want, with a Bible quotation of 1 Timothy chapter 4 to encourage them not to shy away from their culture.
On his keynote address , the General secretary of the Bible Society of Ghana, Very Rev. Dr. John Addo Junior, said the theme for this year’s world International Literacy Day is particularly relevant to Ghana where language plays a vital role in our cultural heritage and social cohesion and the Bible Society of Ghana has been at the forefront of promoting literacy in Ghana for decades though their dedicated efforts to translate the Bible into various Ghanaian languages, the have not only made the word of God accessible to millions of Ghanaian Men and Women but have also contributed significantly to the development of literacy in Ghanaian communities. He said it is a well -known fact that most developed nations proudly embrace their native languages, recognizing their cultural significance and the benefits they bring to their Societies and however in Ghana we seem to be gradually relegating our mother tongue to the background, making them our second languages instead and this trend is not only a cultural loss but also a missed opportunity for intellectual and social development . He called everyone to challenge the perception that speaking English is a sign of intelligence and embrace the beauty and value of our mother tongues which is also a testament to our rich cultural heritage, means of preserving our traditions, strengthening our communities, and fostering mutual understanding
The general secretary took the opportunity to called all stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, religious organizations, and the families, to support the promotion of Multilingual Education in Ghana by investing resources and programmes that will enable our children to learn and appreciate both their mother tongues and English to enhance their educational opportunities to contribute to the building of a more united and prosperous nation.
The Chief of Dachio traditional area,Naba Thomas Adongo Akalika ii, who was the chairman of the occation which took place at the Bolgatanga Bukere branch of the Pentecost Church,remarked that these days both the children and the adults could not speak in Gurune language without adding English, which is unfortunate, and therefore lauded the efforts of Bible Society of Ghana in partnership with Sweden Mission Council to make the people learn to read and write well in Gurune language and pledged his unflinching support to the Gurune Literacy Project. There were drama, poetry recitals and reading activities to climax the celebration those who graduated this year were presented with their certificates.
