Leadership is a Continuous Journey: Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana celebrates graduates and new leaders
Accra, Ghana - On June 30, Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana (EPL Ghana) celebrated a significant milestone, inducting 43 young public servants from the seventh cohort of the Public Service Fellowship program in Ghana into the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Alumni Network. At the same time, a new cohort of 45 aspiring leaders began their journey with a three-day orientation, marking the continuation of EPL's commitment to developing ethical, innovative, and service-oriented leadership in Ghana and across the continent.
The graduation, held at the British Council Auditorium in Accra, showcased the young leaders' growth during the 12-month training and mentorship program to become stewards of change, committed to building transparent and responsive public institutions.
In his keynote address, Professor Michael Kpessa-Whyte, Director-General of the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), challenged the young leaders to become a generation of leaders committed to further transforming Ghana's public service.
During the ceremony, the young leaders were presented with certificates, recognized for outstanding service, and inducted into the EPL Alumni Network. The growing pan-African network of young public servants from Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Sierra Leone will continue to support their lifelong leadership development and strengthen their commitment to service.
While the seventh cohort celebrates the successful completion of training, the next cadre of leaders begins their journey. In June, 45 young professionals (32 women and 13 men) participated in a three-day orientation and inauguration training. The program included fellowship expectations, practical workshops on professionalism, Microsoft Excel, and presentation skills facilitated by experts like Abdul Rakeeb Mohamed and Rami Baitie.
Full of energy and curiosity, the emerging leaders actively engaged in the first chapter of their leadership development. In the next 12 months, the PSF curriculum will equip them with the necessary technical expertise, professional competencies, and leadership skills needed to drive key innovations and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The orientation is the culmination of a rigorous recruitment and interview process. The eighth cohort received 626 applications, reflecting the interest of young African leaders to contribute to building a better and more impactful public service.
The 2026-2027 cohort reflects EPL's continued commitment to diversity and inclusivity within governance. The group comprises 71 percent women, nine (9) Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, and three (3) persons with disabilities, demonstrating progress toward expanding equitable access to leadership opportunities in Ghana's public sector.
The year ahead promises engaging conversations, interactive sessions, and shared learning experiences for all EPL Fellows as they gain deeper insights into what it means to lead with purpose and contribute meaningfully to positive change.
Together, the graduation and orientation are more than just program milestones - they reflect the growing initiative of young leaders to take on leadership roles and drive ethics, innovation, and transparency within their government. As the next generation joins EPL's Alumni Network and more begin their fellowship, EPL continues to invest in the young professionals whose leadership will shape a better public sector and accelerate sustainable development goals from today onward.
