New NT Translation Completed in Ivory Coast

Around 23,000 people in the southern region of the Ivory Coast finally have access to the entire New Testament in their native tongue

By Kenneth Chan, Monday, July 25, 2005

Around 23,000 people in the southern region of the Ivory Coast now have access to the entire New Testament in their native tongue following efforts by several churches in collaboration with a member of a world fellowship of national Bible Societies.

Thanks to dedicated work led by the Bible Society of Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), the Roman Catholic Church, the United Methodist Church and the Harrist Church, “God’s Word has been brought much closer to the hearts of the residents of 21 villages located along the Ivory Coast’s Ebrie Lagoon,” reports the United Bible Societies (UBS).

Although parts of the Bible have been available in Alladian since as long ago as 1937, it was not until this year that the New Testament became available in full.

“God’s Word will be proclaimed in Alladian from now on,” exclaimed Bible Society General Secretary Jean Kouassi Koname during the launch ceremony of the full translation in Jacqueville, the main town in the region.

The ceremony, which was held on on June 25, was led by Gabriel Joseph Yacé – a well-known businessman and son of Philippe Yacé, the late President of the country’s National Assembly, who was one of the leading supporters of the project.

According to UBS, Yacé personally funded the purchase of 3,000 copies of the new Alladian New Testament for distribution locally. During the ceremony, Yacé emphasized his commitment to helping to make the entire Bible available in Alladian soon.

Other Scripture translations that UBS is currently involved with in the Ivory Coast include the translation of the Bible into Attié (Akyé), Cebaara, Senoufo, and Tagwana (Tegbana).

Due to the armed conflict which started in September 2002, the Bible Society was only able to serve the southern half of the country. Additionally, a number of translation and distribution projects had encountered difficulties. However, the Bible Society’s Koname reported that the organization was making every effort to progress several translation projects, some of which are being managed in rebel-occupied areas.