The Babel Initiative has launched a historic 120-day walk across Ghana aimed at protecting indigenous seeds, documenting African languages and preserving traditional knowledge systems. The journey began on 6 March 2026 from Paga in the Upper East Region and will end in Aflao in the Volta Region after passing through major towns including Tamale, Kumasi and Accra.
The initiative is led by Mawutor Adzato, Founder of the Mawutor Project and Director of Babel AI, who is leading a small team on foot across the country to engage communities in preserving their environmental and cultural heritage.
Shortly after the launch of the walk, the team met with the District Chief Executive of Kassena‑Nankana West District, where the initiative and its objectives were discussed. The team also paid a courtesy visit to traditional leaders in Paga, who warmly received the delegation and applauded the vision behind the project.
Traditional authorities commended the effort to preserve indigenous seeds and local languages, noting that such initiatives help safeguard the knowledge and cultural identity of communities.
A key component of the Babel Initiative is the creation of community seed banks, where farmers can preserve and exchange indigenous crop varieties that have been cultivated for generations. These seed banks are intended to strengthen food security and protect agricultural biodiversity.
The initiative is also establishing community data centres to digitally archive languages, oral histories and cultural narratives recorded in the voices of elders and knowledge keepers. These archives will contribute to the development of the Babel AI model, a technology designed to enable easier translation between African languages.
By documenting indigenous knowledge systems—ranging from traditional farming methods to cultural practices—the project aims to ensure that African wisdom is preserved and made accessible in the digital age.
As the team continues the long walk from Paga to Aflao, the Babel Initiative is building momentum and community support across Ghana for the preservation of Africa’s seeds, languages and knowledge systems. 
