Analyzing Water Resource Potential and Governance Challenges in Babessi, North West Region, Cameroon

Abstract

Water is a vital resource for life, development, and the environment, but its availability depends significantly on its management. Global projections indicate that 40% of the world's population will face water stress by 2050, with demand increasing by 55%. In rural Africa including Cameroon, water supply infrastructure is aging, technologies are outdated, and governance systems are ill-equipped to handle rising demand, urbanization, climate variability, and disasters. This study investigates water governance issues in Babessi, North West Region of Cameroon, where access to and management of water resources present significant challenges. The research employed a survey of 22 water management stakeholders through face-to-face interviews, alongside literature review and field observations. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 27.0. The OECD guidelines on efficiency, effectiveness, trust, and engagement were used with the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) to analyze water governance. Findings revealed that despite stakeholders' efforts, challenges persist, including water supply inaccessibility, unaffordability, and poor quality. Unskilled water management personnel was ranked as the primary challenge (1.14 mean weighted value), followed by limited funding and collaboration (0.85 and 0.83 weighted mean values). Ineffectiveness was identified as the most serious issue affecting water governance based on the OECD principles (0.047 weighted mean). In summary, the study highlights critical shortcomings in water governance in Babessi, which are contributing to water access and service delivery issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need for more inclusive participation, effective partnerships, increased investment, capacity building, and accountability to ensure sustainable water resource management, aligning with the OECD framework.