After participants had been told of the processes of Bible translation during a prayer partners meeting of Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT), one of them asked, "After the people have been given the Scriptures, what happens?" This study has been an attempt to supply answers to such questions. It attempts to ascertain the impact that the Bible translation strategy (BTS) of GILLBT has had on the Dega people of Ghana, especially their socio-cultural and spiritual lives. The study uses Darrell Whiteman's conceptual framework of Integral Human Development to analyse how the Bible translation strategy has contributed to their human development. The BTS comprises linguistic and anthropological research, Bible translation, literacy and development and Scripture-In-Use. The dissertation traces the historical origins and the rich but distinctive cultural beliefs and practices of the Dega. The results have shown that rete WJ bi ka, tete WJ bi kyere, "the past has a lot to say and teach us". The emergence of the Church and the BTS in the Dega Hare (Degaland) has also been outlined. One fact that runs through all the stories is the conspicuous role that the laity played in bringing the Church to Dega Hare. The Church came as early as in the 1930s, mostly from the south of the country. However, the situation is changing and from the 1990s Dega initiated churches are emerging. The BTS has been in Dega Hare since 1981 and some of the fruits have been the Deg New Testament, an ongoing Old Testament translation, a literacy program that has made over three thousand Dega literate in Deg, a Scripture use promotion program called Scripture-In-Use and an indigenous organisation, Deg Language Project. The dissertation analyses the socio-cultural and spiritual impact that the BTS has had on Dega in chapters four and five. It uses human interest stories and testimonies to depict the impact on the lives of individuals and communities. The dissertation ends with a summary of the findings and some recommendations for the future. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004

No description available.

Text in German / This dissertation describes and interprets the history of Presbyterian Youth Ministry from the beginning up to today. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana originated from the work of the Basel Mission, Switzerland and the United Free Church of Scotland. The emphasis on education, laid by the Basel Mission has had a major impact for the Church and especially for Youth Ministry. This emphasis was seen through the building of Schools, Training Institutions and through practical training of young people. Andrew Atkinson, a Scottish accountant at the then Gold Coast, laid the foundation for youth work within the Church. Very soon this ministry developed throughout the country. With the formation of a Youth Constitution as the basis for youth work, a good framework was established that still guides the Youth today. Today, Youth work has been broadened. Through different projects it is envisaged to give answers to the manifold problems of young people in a fast changing African society. Social projects, HIV/AIDS work, but at first the training of young people is a major part of youth work today. Conferences are held on different levels, training materials have been developed and youth workers have been trained to take up future responsibilities as leaders. One emphasis has remained and has its roots in the Basel Mission history: a Bible based youth ministry that equips young people to follow Christ as disciples in their day-to-day lives. Within this success story there has of course also been some failure and weakness. Both, success and struggle is evident within this dissertation. / Missiology / M. Th (Missiology)

Text in German / This doctoral thesis deals with the changes the youth grapple with in Southern Ghana today. These changes permeate all fabrics of society, from the traditional society with its values to the modern society that is undergoing radical social changes. The First Part presents to the reader the traditional Akan Society. It points out how it has assisted young people to get into the world of the adult. It gives an insight into the traditional religions, the rites and practices associated with them and their relation to young people. The Second Part deals with the History of the Presbyterian Youth Work from its inception to the present day. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana was set up in the early 20th Century from the toils of the Basel Mission and the United Free Church of Scotland. This new Christian way of life brought a clash between two world views: the traditional African Religion (ATR) and the Christian Religion that brought about, so to say, farreaching consequences to the culture and the development of the country. Part three focuses attention on the present changes in the Ghanaian Society. It shows the effects of migration and the economic conditions on the Ghanaian Society at the turn of the 21st Century especially for young people. Part four sums up the findings and discusses them on the basis of two leading concepts: Contextualization and Identity. I evaluated a contextualization project of a church parish in southern Ghana. Here are, in my opinion, the first signs that could show the way into the future, i.e. a way of preaching the Gospel within the context of the traditional mindset of the local people by taking into account the Ghanaian Culture and with due regard to the feelings of the youth. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

Text in German / This dissertation describes and interprets the history of Presbyterian Youth Ministry from the beginning up to today. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana originated from the work of the Basel Mission, Switzerland and the United Free Church of Scotland. The emphasis on education, laid by the Basel Mission has had a major impact for the Church and especially for Youth Ministry. This emphasis was seen through the building of Schools, Training Institutions and through practical training of young people. Andrew Atkinson, a Scottish accountant at the then Gold Coast, laid the foundation for youth work within the Church. Very soon this ministry developed throughout the country. With the formation of a Youth Constitution as the basis for youth work, a good framework was established that still guides the Youth today. Today, Youth work has been broadened. Through different projects it is envisaged to give answers to the manifold problems of young people in a fast changing African society. Social projects, HIV/AIDS work, but at first the training of young people is a major part of youth work today. Conferences are held on different levels, training materials have been developed and youth workers have been trained to take up future responsibilities as leaders. One emphasis has remained and has its roots in the Basel Mission history: a Bible based youth ministry that equips young people to follow Christ as disciples in their day-to-day lives. Within this success story there has of course also been some failure and weakness. Both, success and struggle is evident within this dissertation. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th (Missiology)

Text in German / This doctoral thesis deals with the changes the youth grapple with in Southern Ghana today. These changes permeate all fabrics of society, from the traditional society with its values to the modern society that is undergoing radical social changes. The First Part presents to the reader the traditional Akan Society. It points out how it has assisted young people to get into the world of the adult. It gives an insight into the traditional religions, the rites and practices associated with them and their relation to young people. The Second Part deals with the History of the Presbyterian Youth Work from its inception to the present day. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana was set up in the early 20th Century from the toils of the Basel Mission and the United Free Church of Scotland. This new Christian way of life brought a clash between two world views: the traditional African Religion (ATR) and the Christian Religion that brought about, so to say, farreaching consequences to the culture and the development of the country. Part three focuses attention on the present changes in the Ghanaian Society. It shows the effects of migration and the economic conditions on the Ghanaian Society at the turn of the 21st Century especially for young people. Part four sums up the findings and discusses them on the basis of two leading concepts: Contextualization and Identity. I evaluated a contextualization project of a church parish in southern Ghana. Here are, in my opinion, the first signs that could show the way into the future, i.e. a way of preaching the Gospel within the context of the traditional mindset of the local people by taking into account the Ghanaian Culture and with due regard to the feelings of the youth. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)