The West Africa Youth Manifesto on Water Sovereignty Launches

The Manifesto builds on a series of advocacy and engagement efforts that have brought water governance into wider conversations on climate, development and environmental justice.

YCC began building momentum around the water emergency through engagement with regional and global platforms, including an open letter  to the African  Heads of state at the 39th Africa Union Summit, the “Why Equality Flows From the Tap” campaign, and the world water week  priorities for inclusive water governance.

The FREAO joint call to action Statement which was co-signed by 30+ CSOs also contributed to this wider body of regional advocacy and provided further reference points to  the conversations that informed the development of the Manifesto.

From survey findings to a regional agenda

The process began with a regional youth survey that received hundreds of responses from youth advocates and campaigners, including participants from Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo.

The findings, published in the Water Sovereignty Survey Report, provided a basis for identifying key concerns and priorities around water governance.

Eight priority areas emerged: Recognising Water As A Fundamental Human And Ecological Right; Protecting Water Ecosystems; Rejecting Privatisation And Commodification; Advancing Climate-Resilient Governance; Centring Indigenous And Community Knowledge; Ensuring Youth And Women’s Leadership; Strengthening Transboundary Cooperation; And Demanding Accountability From Governments And Polluting Industries.

These priorities informed the structure and direction of the Manifesto.

Collaborative Drafting And Contributions

Contributor calls held on 25 and 30 September 2026 provided an opportunity to engage participants in the drafting process and explain how they could contribute. Contributors were invited to review the initial draft and add their recommendations directly to the relevant sections.

Peer and Expert Review

The collaborative drafting process was followed by a review process involving both peer and expert reviews to strengthen the consolidated draft. Peer reviewers were invited to assess whether the Manifesto reflected young people’s priorities across West Africa, whether its demands were clear and relevant, and whether any gaps or inconsistencies needed to be addressed. This was followed by an expert review stage to provide further substantive and technical input. This process helped bring together the perspectives gathered through the consultation and drafting stages before the document was finalised.

The Water Manifesto Launch in Ghana

The Water Manifesto launch during the African Youth Conference provides an opportunity to share our call to action with a wider audience of young people, government institutions, regional and multilateral organisations, civil society groups, and development partners.

YCC and SYND are also inviting organisations and institutions to endorse the Manifesto and support its calls for equitable, sustainable, and accountable water governance.