February 15, 2026
After 16 years of faithful work, the Bible Society of Ghana (BSG) was able to present the Komba people of North East Ghana with the complete Bible in their own language. This was done in collaboration with the Lutheran Bible Translators, the Komba Literacy and Bible Translation Project (KOLIBITRAP) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana
The launch, celebrated with great joy by more than one thousand people gathered at Gbintiri School Park, marked not only the completion of a translation project but an affirmation of hope for future generations.
On November 22, leaders from across society gathered for the event, including Christians, Muslims, paramount chiefs, elders, and community members. Special guests included Hon. Ibrahim Tia, the North East Regional Minister, and pastor Apostle James Majam, who provided the sermon.
The Bible verse Acts 2:6a provided the theme for the event:
“…They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages.”
Speaking at the launch, Very Rev. Dr John Kwesi Addo Jnr, BSG General Secretary, described the Komba Bible as both a spiritual gift and a cultural safeguard. He said that this Bible will not only deepen faith but also serve as a “major repository” to preserve the Komba language and culture from extinction. For a people whose language and traditions face the risk of erosion, the Bible now stands as a living repository of the Komba language, preserving it for generations to come.
History of the Komba Translation
The journey to this moment began decades earlier. While Christian mission among the Komba dates back to the 1950s, the need for a clear, accessible Bible became evident as leaders recognised that existing translations did not adequately reflect the diversity of Komba dialects.
The New Testament translation officially began in 2005 and was joyfully dedicated in 2014—the first written text ever produced in the Komba language. This alone transformed the community, fostering literacy, empowering local preaching, and enabling people to read Scripture for themselves for the first time.
Following the New Testament dedication, work on the Old Testament began in 2015 under the leadership of Mr. Elijah Matibin, with a committed team of translators, linguists, literacy specialists, and consultants. Lutheran Bible Translators, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, KOLIBITRAP, and the Bible Society of Ghana signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch the Old Testament translation effort.
Community Involvement and Impact
Community members played a central role throughout the project, reviewing the text independently and ensuring that the translation faithfully conveyed God’s Word while addressing local realities.
Alongside print, the Bible was recorded in audio form and made available as a smartphone app, recognising the Komba community’s strong oral tradition. Today, with the support of One Way Africa, the full Bible is available in audio format, broadening access and deepening engagement.
With more than 22,000 copies of the complete Bible already distributed, the impact is being felt immediately. God’s Word has inspired readers to become pastors, teachers, and leaders, embedding Scripture into the fabric of community life.
“Reading the Bible has become part of my people,” said the Rev. Emmanuel Mananyina, one of the translation team. “They are reading it day in and day out, and they have taken it upon themselves to do so. They have learned to read, and now they can go out and preach because they can read the Bible, something they were unable to do in the past.”
As one partner observed, the full Bible now equips the Komba not only to share the message of Jesus, but to read it aloud, teach it, and pass it on. For the Komba people, God’s Word is now fully theirs—spoken, read, heard, and lived.
Life and Faith for the Komba People
The Komba people are a smaller community within the Konkomba people group, living in over 120 villages in northern Ghana. Estimates suggest that there are between 1.2-1.3 million Konkomba people, approximately 1.1 million which live in Ghana.
Historically, this community is spiritually animist, focused on earth shrines symbolizing fertility and ancestors. Recently, many within the Komba community have accepted Christian faith, and others have become Muslim.
Milestone Year in 2025
In 2025, BSG celebrated its 60th anniversary. For these milestone celebrations, BSG introduced a line-up of activities held throughout 2025, designed to deepen the impact of Bible ministry nationwide including youth conferences, public lectures, events, and Bible distribution.
In addition to the Komba Bible launch, BSG also celebrated the launch of the Dagaare Bible and the first full Braille Bible in any Ghanian language, the Asante Twi Braille Bible.
2025 proved to be a monumental year for Bible ministry in Ghana. Praise the Lord!
