TRAVELLING BIBLE ARRIVES IN GHANA
Solace Asafo-Hlordzi - Communication Director, GUC
January 24, 2010, Ghana-Accra- The Ministerial Secretary of the West Central Africa Division (WAD), Pastor Danforth Francis arrived in Ghana with the Bible at midnight of January 22, 2010. Long after curious members of the church had given up their wait at the airport and gone to sleep. At 1.24am, it finally arrived at the office of the Ghana Union Conference where officers and directors had their turn touching and reading the travelling Bible.
Prior to its arrival the Union had held a Press Conference to announce the arrival of the Bible in Ghana on the evening of January 22, 2010. "The message of 'Follow the Bible' is simply this: follow the Bible by reading it every day, practice its principles, allow its messages to reflect in your life and share its life transforming messages," the Union President, Pastor Samuel Adama Larmie told about 15 media houses including the national radio and television station.
The Bible was officially handed over to the Ghana Union Conference at a Sabbath worship at the Labone SDA Church in Accra attended by church officers, the Major of the city of Accra, Dr Alfred Vanderpuiye, a seventh-day Adventist, the Clerk of the Parliament of Ghana, Elder Emmanuel Anyimadu, also a Seventh-day Adventist elder, and a traditional ruler of the community, Nii Martey Tsuru.
"It is a great privilege to have this unique Bible in Ghana, Ghana is blessed and I am happy the President of Ghana will see and touch the Bible. The message of the travelling Bible will enrich lives," the Major of Accra said at the Sabbath worship.
The Clerk of the Parliament of Ghana and the local community chief also took his turn to read Genesis chapter 6, at a Bible Marathon launched on the Follow the Bible Sabbath. He was happy to be given a Bible in his local language. The Bible Sabbath was also mark throughout the southern sector of Ghana with the donation of Bibles in hospitals, correctional centres, and market places.
"Over 5,000 free Bible will be distributed by the end of the Sabbath. We are empowering many to own Bibles so that they can read them. We have also given Bible reading guides to all members", said the South Ghana Conference President, Pastor Anthony Kessie.
Reaching out to the non-Adventist community a special worship was organized in collaboration with the Assemblies of God Church. The congregation was happy to see the travelling Bible and commend the Church for such a unique initiative. "This is a wonderful gesture of love you have extended to us. We are indeed united by the Bible", a member said. The Chief Justice of Ghana, Mrs Theodora Georgina Wood, was one of the members of the church who took turns to hold the Bible.
On Monday, January 25, 2010. The Bible will be presented to the President of the Republic of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills at his office.
Ghana is located in West Africa and has a population of 22million. There are about half a million Seventh-day Adventists living in Ghana. The church marked its 122 years this month.