Education
West African youth launch water sovereignty manifesto, demand inclusive governance – EnviroNews
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Young climate advocates across West Africa have launched a regional manifesto calling for inclusive, climate-resilient and accountable water governance, with a strong emphasis on protecting water resources as a fundamental human and ecological right.
The West Africa Youth Manifesto on Water Sovereignty was launched by the Youth Climate Collective (YCC) and Ghana’s Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND) at the African Youth Conference on Natural Resources and Environmental Governance 2026 in Accra, Ghana.
Endorsed by more than 50 civil society organisations and government institutions, the manifesto outlines the priorities and demands of young people across the region, urging governments and regional institutions to strengthen water security, protect aquatic ecosystems and ensure meaningful youth participation in water-related decision-making.
The document was developed through regional youth consultations, collaborative drafting and review processes, including a survey that attracted more than 500 responses from young people and youth advocates across West Africa.
The survey findings informed the manifesto’s recommendations, which were subsequently subjected to contributor engagement, peer review and expert review before the final document was completed.
The manifesto identifies eight priority areas for action, including recognising water as a fundamental human and ecological right; protecting rivers, wetlands, aquifers and coastal ecosystems; rejecting water privatisation and commodification; and strengthening climate-resilient water governance.
Other priorities include recognising Indigenous and community knowledge, promoting youth and women’s leadership in water governance, enhancing regional solidarity and cooperation over shared water resources, and demanding greater accountability from governments and polluting industries.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns about water insecurity, climate change, environmental degradation and unequal access to safe water across West Africa.
According to the organisations, the manifesto is intended to provide a common platform for young people to influence water policies and promote regional approaches that respond to the needs of communities affected by water scarcity and environmental pressures.
Speaking on the potential of the manifesto to drive change, Nasreen Al-Amin, Director at Surge Africa, stressed the need for governments and regional institutions to recognise the document and act on its recommendations.
“It’s of utmost importance for states and regional establishments to acknowledge not only the water manifesto but the calls to action embedded within, as this reflects some of the pressing challenges of our local population as reflected in our survey,” Al-Amin said.
She noted that regional cooperation and the effective management of shared water resources were central to the manifesto, expressing hope that governments would translate its demands into concrete action.
The launch builds on a series of youth-led advocacy initiatives aimed at placing water security, equity and accountability higher on the African policy agenda.
These include an open letter to African heads of state at the 39th African Union Summit, calling on continental leaders to declare a Continental Water and Climate Emergency and prioritise water security as a foundation for survival, peace and prosperity.
YCC also led the Why Equality Flows From the Tap campaign, which documented the experiences of women facing water scarcity and highlighted their concerns and aspirations for the future.
The campaign further advanced five priorities for strengthening inclusive water governance and accountability during World Water Week 2026.
In another initiative, YCC published a joint statement endorsed by more than 30 civil society organisations ahead of the West Africa Water Forum. The statement called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), national governments, development partners and regional institutions to recognise water insecurity as a driver of livelihood losses and displacement.
The organisations said the new manifesto consolidates these advocacy efforts into a shared regional framework for advancing youth participation and more sustainable water management.
Following the launch, YCC and SYND plan to expand the manifesto’s reach, secure additional endorsements from organisations and institutions, and strengthen engagement among young people working on water issues.
Further engagement and advocacy activities are also planned for 2027.
The organisations have invited civil society groups, youth networks, social movements and government institutions to read, endorse and share the manifesto, while supporting broader engagement with its recommendations.
They maintain that translating the manifesto into practical policies and programmes will require sustained political commitment, stronger regional cooperation and accountability from governments and industries whose activities affect water resources.
