A strong political commitment supported by the VBA
Cotonou, Benin – At the initiative of the Volta Basin Authority (VBA) and in collaboration with its partner GWP-WA, parliamentarians from the six riparian countries met in Cotonou from August 25 to 27, 2026. This high-level meeting was marked by a historic step forward: the creation and official launch of the Volta Basin Regional Parliamentary Network (VBA-RPN) . This new strategic framework aims to strengthen political advocacy, water security, and the collaborative management of the basin’s shared water resources.
Organised by the VBA as part of the REWarD Volta River Basin project , this regional workshop brought together members of parliament from Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali and Togo, alongside representatives of the National Focal Structures and VBA technical teams.
The work highlighted the crucial role of national elected officials in transboundary water governance. Faced with the growing challenges linked to climate change, population growth, and pressure on water resources, the Volta Basin Authority (VBA) reaffirms its commitment to making the Volta Basin an area of peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity for the approximately 35 million people who depend on it.
In line with the process initiated by the VBA at Bamako in 2025 with the validation of the network’s founding act, the Cotonou workshop allowed parliamentarians to deepen their knowledge of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), to examine sustainable financing mechanisms and to adopt a clear roadmap to support the VBA ‘s strategic actions.
A major outcome of this workshop organised by the VBA was the official installation of the Bureau of the Regional Network of Parliamentarians of the Volta Basin:
- Chair: Hon. Mr Assane Sidibé (Mali)
- Vice-Chair: Hon. Ms Sabi Mohamed Djamilatou (Benin)
- Rapporteur : Hon. Ms Fofana Haoua (Burkina Faso)
This leadership team will work closely with the VBA to coordinate network activities, advocate for the ratification and implementation of the Volta Basin Water Charter , and strengthen dialogue between national assemblies and the Authority.
The establishment of the RRP- VBA is a decisive step led by the VBA towards the creation of the future Inter-Parliamentary Committee of the Volta Basin (IPC) , a permanent body envisioned by the Water Charter. The network will play a leading role in accelerating the ratification of the Charter, mobilizing political decision-makers, and generating structural investments in support of climate resilience and sustainable development.
Through the success of this workshop, ABV reaffirms its institutional leadership and its unwavering commitment to inclusive, democratic water governance that serves the people of the Volta region.
