The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa

Ifeanyi Ogbekene

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11

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The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa

Ifeanyi Ogbekene^*

Published in Journal of Energy and Natural Resources (Volume 14, Issue 1)

Received: 15 December 2024 Accepted: 22 January 2025 Published: 17 February 2025

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Abstract

Water resource management remains a critical issue for sustainable development in Africa, as communities face challenges related to water scarcity, poor governance structures, and inadequate infrastructure. This article examines the interplay between freedom of expression, collaborative governance, and community participation in addressing these challenges. Drawing on theoretical and empirical insights, the study highlights how freedom of expression fosters transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, which are essential for effective water governance. The research underscores the importance of collaborative governance frameworks that integrate diverse stakeholders, including governments, local communities, and private entities, to develop inclusive and sustainable water management strategies. Findings reveal that empowering communities through participatory decision-making and institutional reforms enhances their capacity to address water resource challenges effectively. The study concludes by recommending policy initiatives that prioritize institutional capacity building, promote freedom of expression, and foster collaborative governance mechanisms to ensure equitable and sustainable water resource management in Africa.

Published in	Journal of Energy and Natural Resources (Volume 14, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11
Page(s)	1-11
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Freedom of Expression, Collaborative Governance, Community Participation, Water Resource Management, Africa

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APA Style

Ogbekene, I. (2025). The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 14(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11

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ACS Style

Ogbekene, I. The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa. J. Energy Nat. Resour. 2025, 14(1), 1-11. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11

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AMA Style

Ogbekene I. The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa. J Energy Nat Resour. 2025;14(1):1-11. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11,
  author = {Ifeanyi Ogbekene},
  title = {The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa},
  journal = {Journal of Energy and Natural Resources},
  volume = {14},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-11},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jenr.20251401.11},
  abstract = {Water resource management remains a critical issue for sustainable development in Africa, as communities face challenges related to water scarcity, poor governance structures, and inadequate infrastructure. This article examines the interplay between freedom of expression, collaborative governance, and community participation in addressing these challenges. Drawing on theoretical and empirical insights, the study highlights how freedom of expression fosters transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, which are essential for effective water governance. The research underscores the importance of collaborative governance frameworks that integrate diverse stakeholders, including governments, local communities, and private entities, to develop inclusive and sustainable water management strategies. Findings reveal that empowering communities through participatory decision-making and institutional reforms enhances their capacity to address water resource challenges effectively. The study concludes by recommending policy initiatives that prioritize institutional capacity building, promote freedom of expression, and foster collaborative governance mechanisms to ensure equitable and sustainable water resource management in Africa.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa
AU  - Ifeanyi Ogbekene
Y1  - 2025/02/17
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11
T2  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JF  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JO  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
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VL  - 14
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Ifeanyi Ogbekene

Gas360, Lagos, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0009-3054-7713

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APA Style

Ogbekene, I. (2025). The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 14(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11

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ACS Style

Ogbekene, I. The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa. J. Energy Nat. Resour. 2025, 14(1), 1-11. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11

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AMA Style

Ogbekene I. The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa. J Energy Nat Resour. 2025;14(1):1-11. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11,
  author = {Ifeanyi Ogbekene},
  title = {The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa},
  journal = {Journal of Energy and Natural Resources},
  volume = {14},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-11},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jenr.20251401.11},
  abstract = {Water resource management remains a critical issue for sustainable development in Africa, as communities face challenges related to water scarcity, poor governance structures, and inadequate infrastructure. This article examines the interplay between freedom of expression, collaborative governance, and community participation in addressing these challenges. Drawing on theoretical and empirical insights, the study highlights how freedom of expression fosters transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, which are essential for effective water governance. The research underscores the importance of collaborative governance frameworks that integrate diverse stakeholders, including governments, local communities, and private entities, to develop inclusive and sustainable water management strategies. Findings reveal that empowering communities through participatory decision-making and institutional reforms enhances their capacity to address water resource challenges effectively. The study concludes by recommending policy initiatives that prioritize institutional capacity building, promote freedom of expression, and foster collaborative governance mechanisms to ensure equitable and sustainable water resource management in Africa.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Role of Freedom of Expression and Collaborative Governance in Enhancing Community Participation for Water Resource Management in Africa
AU  - Ifeanyi Ogbekene
Y1  - 2025/02/17
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11
T2  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JF  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JO  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
SP  - 1
EP  - 11
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7404
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20251401.11
AB  - Water resource management remains a critical issue for sustainable development in Africa, as communities face challenges related to water scarcity, poor governance structures, and inadequate infrastructure. This article examines the interplay between freedom of expression, collaborative governance, and community participation in addressing these challenges. Drawing on theoretical and empirical insights, the study highlights how freedom of expression fosters transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, which are essential for effective water governance. The research underscores the importance of collaborative governance frameworks that integrate diverse stakeholders, including governments, local communities, and private entities, to develop inclusive and sustainable water management strategies. Findings reveal that empowering communities through participatory decision-making and institutional reforms enhances their capacity to address water resource challenges effectively. The study concludes by recommending policy initiatives that prioritize institutional capacity building, promote freedom of expression, and foster collaborative governance mechanisms to ensure equitable and sustainable water resource management in Africa.
VL  - 14
IS  - 1
ER  -

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