Global Alumni Gathering 2025: Strengthening Public Service Excellence Across Africa
Emerging Public Leaders staff, alumni, and fellows from Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda.
Accra, Ghana - One hundred dynamic, young public leaders from across Africa gathered for the 2025 Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Alumni Network Gathering. Co-hosted by Emerging Public Leaders and EPL Ghana in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the two-day conference, held on April 23rd and 24th, served as a critical platform for our Alumni to foster collaboration, deepen networks, and reimagine governance for a future-driven African public sector. Drawing participants from Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, and soon-to-be-graduating Fellows from Malawi, the Gathering exemplified the power of a pan-African movement committed to reforming public service from within.
The Alumni Network is a cornerstone of our program's commitment to continue increasing sustainable leadership development and driving collective action of international young leaders following Fellowship graduation. The 2025 Gathering theme, Governance Reimagined: Driving transformative change within public service in Africa, built on the success of last year’s Inaugural Network Gathering in Kenya, and affirmed our Alumni's unique role in strengthening African public institutions through innovation and integrity as the next generation of public servants.
Setting the Stage for Change
During the opening ceremony, Executive Director of Emerging Public Leaders, Abigail Kajumba, and Country Director of EPL Ghana, Juliet A. Amoah, shared powerful messages on solidarity, underscoring the urgency and opportunity for public sector transformation, and articulated the vision of the Alumni Network to harness collective leadership and build cross-generational, cross-border collaborations capable of addressing Africa’s most pressing governance challenges.
Strategic partnerships and bold leadership
Reinforcing this vision, Emelia Ayipio Asamoah of the Mastercard Foundation, Elizabeth Obeng-Yeboah of Ghana’s Office of the Head of Civil Service, Dr. Mary Mwiandi of the Public Service Commission of Kenya, Arthur Chibwana of the Civil Service Commission of Malawi, spoke to the Alumni present in person, and those watching online, emphasizing that sustainable development and resilient governance can be realized through strategic partnerships and bold leadership with values driven young leaders as the driving force.
Husein Pumaya Yakubu spoke on behalf of the Alumni Network as the Vice President for the Ghana Chapter.
He echoed the importance of the Network, stating, "Alumni are the long-term torch bearers of Emerging Public Leaders…together, we have the tools to build stronger communities in Africa."
Driving Conversations that Matter
The event included a series of thought-provoking panel discussions that explored the evolving dynamics of the public sector. From digital governance transformation and climate change resilience to ethical leadership and cross-border collaborative strategies, Alumni leveraged their roles and experiences to engage deeply with emerging trends shaping the African governance landscape.
Alumni Abigail Flomo Coker (Liberia), Stennis Smith (Ghana), and Emmanuel Frimpong (Ghana) spoke about Digital Governance Transformation and the role of technology to modernize public service delivery on a panel alongside Jerry Sam (Penplusbytes).
During the Sustainable Development Leadership: Climate change policy adaptation / resilient institutional mechanisms panel, alumna Esther Ngure Wangiru (Kenya) highlighted the need for resilient institutional mechanisms that protect the most vulnerable communities while promoting environmental stewardship. She was joined by Dr. Samuel Dotse, Founder and CEO of HATOF, and Dr. Yaw Atiglo, Research Fellow at the Regional Institute of Population Studies, in addressing audience questions that focused on adaptive policy responses and how young women and men can drive better public service delivery.
Inclusive Leadership and Gender Equality
Current Fellow Zahira Banda (Malawi) and Ghana Alumni Paa Kwesi spoke on a panel with other leading experts on Inclusive Public Policy Making, leading a compelling conversation dissecting the evolving models necessary for navigating increasingly complex public service environments while maintaining ethical integrity and citizen trust. Testimonials of Alumni emphasized the strength of our international network as it supports each alumni and empowers them to navigate any challenges they encounter.
Alumni Eliud Karani (Kenya) spoke on the final Day One panel, Cross-border Collaborative Governance, bringing his lived experiences in the Agricultural sector and professional experiences working for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to the conversation and advocating for greater peer-to-peer learning as a means to overcoming regional governance challenges. He was joined by Hardi Yakubu from Africans Rising and Dr. Victor Doke from Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC).
Deepening Connections Across Borders
Day Two hosted many opportunities for Alumni to deepen bonds and explore new possibilities for future collaboration at networking sessions and cultural interludes, showcasing Ghanaian musical traditions. Our international Alumni learned more about each other’s leadership journeys in an all-alumni panel following team-building activities. Panelists Emmanuel Sackey (Ghana), Charles Caine (Liberia), and Sophia Mugendi (Kenya) shared candid reflections, revealing both the challenges and triumphs they faced at the workplace following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Focusing on sustainability, the Alumni reviewed strategic Network documents in a dialogue with Richard Okai, Director of Programs and Learning at Emerging Public Leaders, laying out an operational framework for long-term impact. Experts Abigail Burgesson, Emerging Public Leaders Board Member, and Dr. Efua K. Turkson, Gender Equity, Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager at EPL Ghana, led sessions on fiscal sustainability and programmatic models to sustain gender parity, respectively.
Honoring Excellence, Inspiring the Future
The Gathering ended on a high note with the Dinner and Awards Night at the Menzies Hotel, a festive yet meaningful celebration of public service and leadership. Newly elected executives were sworn in, symbolizing the network’s commitment to renewal and continuity. Outstanding alumni were recognized for their exceptional contributions to public service, mentorship, and network-building, inspiring others to deepen their impact in their respective spheres.
The awardee reflected the values of excellence, selflessness, and collaborative spirit at the heart of EPL’s mission. Recipients included:
Liberia
Outstanding Alumnus: Amos Nyanwleh Tubor
Outstanding Alumna: Facia R. Sherman
Ghana
Outstanding Alumna: Joana Akua Anaba
Outstanding Alumnus: Paa Kwesi Essonh Abakah-Bonney
Kenya
Outstanding Alumna: Esther Ngure Wangiru
Outstanding Alumnus: Eliud Karani
A Growing Movement for Transformative Leadership
The EPL Alumni Network, with more than 400 members in Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, and soon Malawi, is a testament to what is possible when young African public servants are trusted, trained, and supported to transform governance. As our network continues to grow, we are committed to strengthening our investment in our Alumni and all emerging professionals who remain on the frontlines. Africa’s future depends on public leaders who dare to reimagine governance, collaborate across borders and generations, and commit themselves to building systems worthy of the dreams of their citizens.