Emerging Public Leaders Celebrate Graduation of Twelfth Cohort in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia – The President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP), in partnership with Emerging Public Leaders (EPL), the Government of Liberia, the Civil Service Agency of Liberia, and the Mastercard Foundation, gathered on August 20, 2026, for the swearing-in and graduation ceremony of the twelfth cohort of young public servants.

Held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, the event brought together government leaders, development partners, PYPP alumni, current Fellows, mentors, and family members to honor 33 graduates who completed the program's rigorous two-year fellowship. The graduating class included 20 women and one Fellow with a disability, reflecting PYPP's ongoing commitment to building an inclusive pipeline of public sector leadership.

Over the course of their fellowships, the graduates served across 22 government ministries, departments, agencies, and policy institutions, contributing to national development priorities while gaining hands-on experience in public service. As our foundational program for the Public Service Fellowship in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and now Sierra Leone, the graduation marked a seventeen-year legacy of developing ethical, passionate, and effective leaders in Liberia's public sector and across Africa.

A Fellowship Defined by Purpose and Transformation

Graduates Favour C. Kieh and Jeremiah Zayzay shared testimonies that underscored the transformative nature of the program.

Favour reflected on a journey marked by growth, learning, and service. She emphasized the strong bonds created through community immersion experiences and reaffirmed the cohort's commitment to carrying forward the values, skills, and sense of responsibility cultivated during the fellowship.

Jeremiah described PYPP as more than a professional opportunity.

"It didn't give me a placement; it gave me a purpose," he said. "Growth is rarely comfortable. It is stepping outside your comfort zone and enduring the challenges that come after. PYPP does not promise comfort; it promises transformation."

He encouraged future applicants to embrace the program's challenges with a spirit of service, noting that public leadership demands courage, empathy, and a commitment to justice.

Alumni Paying It Forward

One powerful moment came through the testimony of Joseta Neufvill-Wento, Manager of the National Road Fund of Liberia and a PYPP Cohort III alumna. Fourteen years after completing the fellowship herself, she returned to the PYPP stage as a mentor.

Sharing the story of her mentee, Roseline Philips, she highlighted the remarkable impact young professionals can have when given opportunities to lead. Roseline became the first female engineer at the National Road Fund and has since distinguished herself through innovation, technical excellence, and public service.

Joseta recalled Roseline's participation in county road validation exercises, where seeing firsthand the communities affected by infrastructure decisions strengthened her commitment to service. She also described how an engineering program in Tanzania expanded Philips' expertise and inspired new approaches to road management and climate resilience. Following the training, Roseline worked closely with interns to pass on her expertise. 

"She has not only been an exceptional public servant, but she has already started paying it forward,” remarked Joseta.

Roseline was selected as the first Liberian to support road fund operations in Kenya following graduation, where her impact will continue.

Expanding Opportunity Across Liberia

In special remarks, Ciata Stevens d'Almeida, Executive Director of the PYPP, highlighted its growing reach and the impact of emerging leaders across the country.

She noted that the program's success is measured not only by Fellows' achievements during the program but also by their contributions before and after placements. Ciata celebrated PYPP's newest partners, including but not limited to the Liberia National Police Headquarters, the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, and the National Disaster Management Agency, and the PYPP’s decentralization effort since 2024, which has placed 80 young professionals recruited from Grand Bassa and Bong Counties in positions working with the local government to drive impact within their communities.

"PYPP is a perfect example of a tangible investment in the next generation of young leaders," she said.

Partners Reaffirm Commitment to Youth Leadership

Representatives from government and development institutions praised the graduates and reaffirmed their support for youth leadership development in Liberia.

Deputy Minister of State for Administration and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of Liberia, Bill McGill Jones, shared remarks on behalf of the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, commending the professionalism and commitment of the Fellows and emphasizing the importance of ensuring young people have meaningful seats at decision-making tables.

"Their voices are needed," he said. "It is no longer about the future. It is now."

Partners from the Government of Liberia, the World Bank, and ECOWAS echoed similar sentiments, describing the PYPP as a deliberate investment in Liberia's most valuable resource: its people. They highlighted the program's role in placing talented young professionals at the heart of government institutions and creating opportunities for them to contribute to national development.

In his remarks, Director-General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) of Liberia and the Board Chair of the President's Young Professionals Program, Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., emphasized that nation-building ultimately depends on the quality and character of the people entrusted with implementing policies and delivering results.

"PYPP has demonstrated a fundamental truth about nation-building," he said. "Systems do not transform countries by themselves. People do."

He encouraged graduates to view leadership as service rather than status and challenged them to mentor others as they advance in their careers.

"Leadership is not about the office," he said. "Leadership is about the difference we make.”

A Call to Lead with Excellence

The ceremony's keynote address was delivered by Honorable Augustine K. Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning, who reflected on Liberia's progress and the enduring legacy of PYPP since its founding under H.E. former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Drawing on his experience as a young professional in government, Ngafuan encouraged graduates to embrace challenges, develop resilience, and commit themselves to public service excellence.

"The public service requires your excellence," he said. "You must be the light. You must be prepared to sacrifice for the sake of the state."

He reminded the new graduates that success in public service often requires perseverance, humility, and a willingness to mentor others. Encouraging them to expect challenges rather than comfort, he emphasized that meaningful change comes through consistent effort and integrity.

“Where you are going, if you see darkness, spread the light. If you see laziness, spread strength. If you see lack of integrity, spread your integrity.”

Looking Ahead

Following the administration of the public service oath and presentation of certificates, the twelfth cohort officially joined Emerging Public Leaders’ growing pan-African network of alumni serving throughout Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and soon Sierra Leone. 

As the graduates embark on the next chapter of their professional journeys, they carry forward the program's values of excellence, ethical leadership, innovation, and service. Their accomplishments reflect not only their individual dedication, but also the enduring vision of a Liberia strengthened by capable and principled public servants.

With each graduating class, Emerging Public Leaders continues to demonstrate the power of investing in young leaders and preparing them to transform institutions, serve communities, and build a more prosperous future for Liberia.