Examining Community Perception of Water Governance in the Town of Lethem, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9) Guyana

Effective water governance ensures resourceful management of water resources, including, equitable access to clean water, especially in hinterland communities where there are limited stakeholder engagements, and significant constraints on institutional resources.Grounded in institutional, stakeholder, social capital, and sustainable development theories, a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology was employed to analyze the perceptions of stakeholders in the town of Lethem, located in Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9), Guyana about the state of water governance in the community.More specifically, the goal of the study was to garner stakeholders' perception of governance effectiveness including institutional capacity, transparency, accountability, community engagement, and water resource sustainability.The findings show that institutional capacity and transparency significantly impact governance perceptions, while community engagement and sustainability also have positive contributions.These outcomes highlight the relevance and need for capacity-building initiatives, improved policy enforcement, and inclusive governance mechanisms to enhance water management outcomes in Lethem and similar communities.The insights provided offer valuable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners seeking to strengthen water governance frameworks in developing regions.