Accra, June 9, GNA - A new Ga Bible with a simplified language to make it easier for Ga speaking people to read and understand was on Friday launched in Accra.

The old version, which had a complex diction, made it difficult for readers to understand. The Bible Society of Ghana (BSG), therefore, decided to review the language.

The Reverend Kofi Owusu, General Secretary, BSG, said with the introduction of a new Ga orthography and new trends in Biblical studies and linguistics it became necessary to initiate a new translation. He said the revision of the Ga Bible, which was the first Ghanaian language Bible to be published in 1866, started in 1977, with the translation of the New Testament.

"It has taken over 20 years since the new translation of the Ga New Testament was published for the whole revised edition of the Ga Bible to be completed."

Rev. Owusu said the new translation was the third Bible launch after Nzema in 1999 and the Dangbme in 2000 and commended the consultant, translators and all those who worked towards the success of the revised Bible.

He, however, stressed that just as every publication, it was always subject to review by its readership and the BSG would welcome suggestions from its readers via the Bible House to help to improve upon its contents.

Prof. Mike Oquaye, Minister of Communications, said the Bible was a sacred gift of God given to man and should not be liberalized or compromised to satisfy human desire.

He urged the Ga community to embrace the Bible for more insight and knowledge.

He stated that the Ga Bible contained the same biblical truth as the first Hebrew Bible, adding; "only the vocabulary has been revised into refined Ga language and we need to obey its commands to make us prosperous".

He cautioned Christian leaders against compromising homosexuality and said it was an abomination in the sight of God and contrary to the biblical meaning of marriage.

The fist copy of the Bible was auctioned for two million cedis while the translators and all who made the publication possible received free copies of the Bible. 9 June 2006