Governance & Leadership

How the forum is governed and led.

AYWF is built to remain accountable to its membership and mission, with clear roles and a pan-African coordinating team steering strategy, oversight, and policy work across the continent.

A decentralized, participatory governance system.

AYWF operates through a decentralized, participatory, and accountable governance system that promotes effective leadership, regional representation, technical excellence, and meaningful youth participation across Africa. The framework is designed to ensure that decisions are transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of young people while strengthening collaboration with governments, development partners, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.

Delegates seated around the table at an African Youth Water Forum working session, with facilitators at the head of the room.

The principal organs

The governance structure comprises the following principal organs, each with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships:

General Assembly
Advisory Board
Executive Council (Continental Coordinating Team)
Executive Committee
Secretariat
Regional Coordination Offices
Country Chapters
Standing Committees
Technical Working Groups
Members and Youth Volunteers

Roles & responsibilities in detail

1. General Assembly

Status

The General Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the African Youth Water Forum. It represents the collective membership of the Forum and provides strategic direction for the organization.

Composition

Individual Members in good standing
Accredited representatives of Organizational Members
Development Partners
Diplomatic Bodies
Members of the Executive Council
Regional Coordinators
Country Coordinators
Standing Committee Chairpersons
Technical Working Group Leads
Delegates from Country Chapters

Observers, partners, and invited guests may participate without voting rights.

Roles & responsibilities

Determine the overall vision and strategic direction of AYWF.
Approve the Constitution and amendments.
Elect members of the Executive Council.
Approve the Strategic Plan.
Approve annual budgets and audited financial statements.
Receive governance, programme, and financial reports.
Establish or dissolve committees and working groups.
Ratify major partnerships and institutional policies.
Consider disciplinary appeals.
Approve the dissolution of the Forum where necessary.

The General Assembly shall meet once every two years and shall remain the highest authority within AYWF.

2. Advisory Board

Status

The Advisory Board is an independent advisory organ that provides strategic guidance, technical expertise, mentorship, and institutional support to the Forum. The Board shall not be involved in the day-to-day management of AYWF.

Composition

The Advisory Board shall comprise distinguished professionals drawn from:

Water resources management
WASH
Climate and environmental sustainability
Academia and research
Governance and public policy
Civil society
Development partners
Private sector
African Union institutions
Former AYWF leaders

Roles & responsibilities

Advise on long-term institutional development.
Provide technical guidance on strategic issues.
Support resource mobilization and donor engagement.
Promote the visibility and credibility of AYWF.
Mentor emerging youth leaders.
Review governance performance.
Support conflict resolution where appropriate.
Recommend institutional reforms.
Strengthen partnerships with continental and international institutions.

The Advisory Board reports to the General Assembly through an annual advisory report.

3. Executive Council (Continental Coordinating Team)

Status

The Executive Council is the principal executive and policy implementation organ of AYWF. It is responsible for translating the decisions of the General Assembly into action and overseeing the strategic management of the Forum.

Composition

Convener
Co-Convener
Continental Coordinator
Administrator
Secretariat
Administrative Assistant
Five Regional Coordinators (North, West, East, Central and Southern Africa)
Chairperson – Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Committee
Chairperson – Communications, Campaigns and Media Committee
Chairperson – Programmes, Events and Conferences Committee

Roles & responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for AYWF.
Implement decisions of the General Assembly.
Develop and oversee implementation of the Strategic Plan.
Coordinate the work of Regional Coordinators, Committees, and Technical Working Groups.
Approve annual work plans and operational priorities.
Oversee institutional governance and risk management.
Mobilize resources and approve strategic partnerships.
Monitor organizational performance.
Ensure financial accountability and institutional compliance.
Prepare reports for the General Assembly.
Promote collaboration among all governance organs.

The Executive Council shall meet quarterly and remain accountable to the General Assembly.

4. Executive Committee

Status

The Executive Committee is the operational management team of AYWF responsible for coordinating the day-to-day administration of the Forum.

Composition

Convener
Co-Convener
Continental Coordinator
Administrator
Secretariat
Administrative Assistant

Roles & responsibilities

Coordinate daily operations.
Supervise implementation of programmes.
Monitor progress on Executive Council decisions.
Coordinate communication between governance organs.
Prepare reports and recommendations for the Executive Council.
Address urgent operational matters between Executive Council meetings.

The Executive Committee shall meet monthly and report to the Executive Council.

Secretariat & operating approach

A delegate taking notes at the table during an African Youth Water Forum working session.

Young Visionary Leaders Ghana serves as the convening organisation of the Forum and hosts its Secretariat, which provides logistical and secretarial support for the work of the Forum and leads on fundraising to sustain it.

Strategy and approach

The Forum will not be registered as a legal entity and will not set up its own offices, ensuring that resources mobilised are used directly to provide services to members rather than servicing a secretariat, and keeping it a flexible space for coordinated youth and civil society action. The Secretariat enters into agreements and contracts on behalf of the Forum.
Except for any compensation relating to implementation of a funded project, the Executive Council and members provide pro bono services to the Forum.
The Forum focuses its work on broad issues that affect water security and governance in Africa through youth-led initiatives.

Financing

Fundraising for specific activities or projects, from members, donors, and private sector organisations.
Self-financing for participation in annual conferences, both continental and international, with general costs covered by institutional partners.

Accountability

The Executive Council provides regular updates to the Forum's membership, ensuring transparency and responsiveness to emerging challenges and continental-wide priorities.

How it fits together

African Youth Water Forum (AYWF) organogram showing the structure from the General Assembly, Advisory Board, Convener and Coordinating Team down through the Secretariat, regional and country coordinators, and the technical working groups.

Continental Coordinating Council

The council leading the forum.

The Continental Coordinating Council brings together conveners, regional coordinators, and committee leads from across Africa and the diaspora.

The African Youth Water Forum Continental Coordinating Council: a photo grid of the twelve council members with their roles and country flags.

Who sits on the council

Joseph Tettey AfangbeContinental Convener
Kekesi Isaac DefoeCo-Convener
Hannah Enyonam EdorContinental Coordinator
Anthony AkachaRegional Coordinator · West Africa
Philister AketchRegional Coordinator · East Africa
Alphonse MasandiNational Coordinator, DR Congo · Central Africa
Judith RampokanyoRegional Coordinator · Southern Africa
Olivia QuarshieCoordinator · Partnerships & Resource Mobilization
Huzaifa IssahakuLead · Programmes, Events & Conferences
Paul AtsuCommittee Lead · Research & Knowledge Management
Jennifer AdomahLead · Communications, Campaigns & Media
Abigail TagoeCoordinator · Finance & Administration

At the helm

Setting the continental direction.

Continental Convener

Joseph Tettey Afangbe

Ghana

Joseph Tettey Afangbe is a Ghanaian development practitioner, social worker, and youth leader with over a decade of experience designing and implementing community-driven development initiatives. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Young Visionary Leaders Ghana (YVLG), a youth-led NGO committed to improving the well-being of children, young people, and underserved communities through education, WASH, social protection, and policy advocacy initiatives.

As Continental Convener of the African Youth Water Forum (AYWF), Joseph leads efforts to strengthen youth engagement in water governance, water justice, and climate resilience across Africa. He is passionate about empowering young people to influence policy, promote equitable access to water and sanitation, and drive sustainable solutions to Africa's water challenges.

At the national level, Joseph serves as Co-Chair of the Ghana Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Platform on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to civil society coordination, policy engagement, social accountability, and the effective implementation and achievement of the SDGs in Ghana. He also serves as Co-Convener of the Ghana Social Accountability Platform, where he supports efforts to strengthen citizen participation, transparency, accountability, and civic engagement in public governance and development processes.

Beyond AYWF and YVLG, Joseph serves in several national and international civil society leadership roles. He is a United Nations ECOSOC Representative and a recipient of the Joy News Impact Maker Award 2025, in recognition of his contributions to community development and social impact.

Co-Convener

Kekesi Isaac Defoe

Ghana

Kekesi Isaac Defoe is a sustainability and environmental practitioner, WASH and public health advocate, and social entrepreneur with over two decades of experience advancing environmental sustainability, climate resilience, research, innovation, and community development. He serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation for Environmental Watch (FEW), Ghana, where he leads initiatives focused on environmental protection, climate action, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and public health.

As Co-Convener of the African Youth Water Forum (AYWF), he works to strengthen youth leadership and collaboration across Africa, fostering evidence-based dialogue and collective action on water governance, water justice, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

He also serves as a National Board Member of Stop TB Partnership Ghana and is a Leading Member of the Institute of Environment and Sustainability Professionals (IESP), UK – West Africa Chapter, contributing to environmental stewardship, public health, and multi-sectoral partnerships at national and regional levels.

Driven by his faith and passion for service, Kekesi is committed to empowering communities, influencing policy, and advancing innovative solutions to environmental and public health challenges. His work continues to inspire collaborative action toward a healthier, more resilient, and sustainable Africa.

Continental Coordinator

Hannah Enyonam Edor

Ghana

Hannah Enyonam Edor is the Continental Coordinator of the African Youth Water Forum, leading the coordination of youth-led initiatives that promote water security, sanitation, climate resilience, and water justice across Africa. She has a background in Development Studies and Social Work, with a particular interest in research that informs inclusive and sustainable development.

With over five years in the social development sector, Hannah has built expertise in programme coordination, planning, and community development. She serves as Programs Officer at Young Visionary Leaders Ghana (YVLG) and previously worked as a Child and Youth Development Worker.

As a development practitioner and emerging researcher, Hannah works to strengthen youth participation, foster partnerships, and coordinate programmes that create lasting impact across the continent.

Across the continent

Regional coordination.

West Africa

Anthony Akacha

Nigeria

Anthony Akacha is the Regional Coordinator for West Africa. From Gombi, Adamawa State, Nigeria, and currently based in Bauchi, he has a strong interest in engineering and technology, with a focus on innovation, problem-solving, and applying technical knowledge to real-world challenges.

He is pursuing a Master's in Engineering at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, and holds a Bachelor's in Engineering (Honours) from Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola. An SDG advocate with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Nigeria, he brings critical thinking, conflict management, cross-cultural engagement, and a technical foundation in cybersecurity and networking.

East Africa

Philister Aketch

South Sudan

Philister Aketch is the East Africa Regional Coordinator. She is a climate and sustainable development advocate based in South Sudan, working with youth- and women-driven organizations focused on environmental protection, WASH, and climate action.

Philister brings experience in youth mobilization, policy advocacy, project management, and building meaningful partnerships across borders. She looks forward to bringing young people together across East Africa, advancing water security, and creating lasting impact.

Central Africa

Alphonse Masandi

DR Congo

Alphonse Masandi is the National Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of Congo. He holds a degree in Agronomy, specializing in natural resource management, and brings energy and a strong ability to connect with people from all walks of life to identify new opportunities for the forum. He also has foundational knowledge in marketing and fieldwork.

Alphonse speaks two local languages, Lingala and Swahili — an asset for outreach and awareness-raising in rural areas. He is delighted to be part of this journey and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Southern Africa

Judith Rampokanyo

Lesotho

Relebeletse Judith Rampokanyo, from Lesotho, is the Southern Africa Regional Coordinator. She brings a diverse skillset to the forum, including precision task management, accounting, project management, administration, research, grant writing, and Google Workspace proficiency.

Judith's background includes an internship at Young Visionary Leaders Ghana, where she honed her project management and intercultural communication skills alongside strong remote-work adeptness. With a foundation in Cost and Management Accounting and Project Management, she plans, executes, and delivers projects within scope, time, and budget.

Portfolios

Committees & functions.

Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

Olivia Quarshie

Ghana

Olivia Quarshie is the Partnership and Resource Mobilization Coordinator. A dedicated social worker from Ghana with a heart for people and community development, she focuses on supporting vulnerable individuals, women, persons with disabilities, families, and youth to access care, dignity, and opportunities.

Olivia brings expertise in case management, community engagement, advocacy, and teamwork. She is passionate about service, empathy, and building systems that uplift people, and looks forward to serving communities with excellence.

Programmes, Events & Conferences

Huzaifa Issahaku

Ghana

Huzaifa Issahaku is a public health professional from Ghana with in-depth experience in project management, social and behaviour change, youth engagement, research, monitoring and evaluation, and community development. He has worked with NGOs, government institutions, and development partners on health, climate action, and youth empowerment.

He brings strong skills in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, strategic communication, partnership building, proposal development, and knowledge management, and is passionate about collaborative leadership and leveraging innovation for sustainable community impact.

Research & Knowledge Management

Paul Atsu

Ghana

Paul Atsu is a development practitioner and knowledge management specialist with over 10 years of experience working with international organizations, NGOs, and the private sector to promote sustainable livelihoods, agribusiness development, and community resilience.

His expertise spans development research, knowledge management, development communications, and programme design, with a strong focus on youth and women's empowerment in agrifood systems. Passionate about evidence-based decision-making and indigenous knowledge systems, he strengthens research, learning, and knowledge sharing across Africa.

Communications, Campaigns & Media

Jennifer Adomah

Canada

Jennifer Adomah leads Communication, Campaign & Media. She is an award-winning philanthropist, registered nurse, and professional counsellor, and the Chief Executive Officer of Rest Philanthropy. She also serves as a counsellor with Rest Consult, supporting individuals through personal, emotional, and life challenges.

With extensive experience in healthcare, counselling, and community development, Jennifer is dedicated to improving lives through compassionate service and advocacy. Through Rest Philanthropy she has championed projects in health promotion, clean water access, education, poverty alleviation, and community empowerment.

Finance & Administration

Abigail Tagoe

Ghana

Abigail Tagoe is a development practitioner, girls' rights advocate, and finance and administration professional committed to advancing opportunities and empowerment for girls and young women. She currently serves as the Finance and Administrative Coordinator of the African Youth Water Forum (AYWF), where she contributes to the effective financial management, administrative coordination, and institutional development of the Forum.

Abigail is also the Director of Girls Vision Foundation, an organisation dedicated to promoting the rights, well-being, empowerment, and development of girls. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to advocating for girls and creating opportunities that enable them to participate meaningfully in society.

With experience in financial management, administration, organisational coordination, and programme support, Abigail brings a combination of technical and leadership skills to her work. Her experience in managing financial resources and supporting organisational operations strengthens her ability to contribute to transparent, accountable, and effective management within AYWF.

As part of the AYWF leadership team, Abigail supports the Forum's efforts to build a strong, accountable, and sustainable continental youth platform working towards water security for all across Africa. Her passion for girls' empowerment, combined with her financial and administrative expertise, adds an important gender and institutional perspective to the Forum's work.