Ex-Prez Sirleaf Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Leadership | News

Former Liberian President and Chair Emeritus of Emerging Public Leaders (EPL), Madam, has praised the transformation of a leadership initiative launched in Liberia 16 years ago into a growing continental platform shaping the next generation of African public sector leaders.

Speaking at the EPL Alumni Gathering in Monrovia, Sirleaf joined fellows, alumni, government officials, and development partners from Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Sierra Leone in reflecting on the organization’s progress and expanding influence across Africa.

Recalling the origins of the initiative, she said it began in August 2009 at Monrovia City Hall with the launch of the President’s Young Professionals Programme (PYPP), which she described as “a bold experiment in learning and leadership for young professionals in post-conflict Liberia.”

“I am excited to reflect on the journey that began in August 2009 at Monrovia City Hall with the launching of the President’s Young Professionals Program,” Sirleaf said.

She credited the success of the programme to the vision and commitment of early supporters, including Betsy Williams and others who helped sustain its development. “With courage, vision, and the steadfast support of Betsy Williams and many others, PYPP took flight and has since grown into a continental movement,” she said.

According to Sirleaf, the initiative later contributed to the establishment of key governance reforms, including the Senior Executive Service and the Scott Fellows Programme, before expanding beyond Liberia under the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) network.

“What started as a Liberian initiative has become a continental force for leadership renewal,” she said. “These young leaders are not simply inheriting responsibilities but actively shaping the future of inclusive growth.”

From its first cohort of just 10 professionals in 2009, Sirleaf noted that the programme has now trained more than 330 fellows in Liberia alone, while the wider EPL network has grown to over 721 fellows and alumni serving in public sector institutions across Africa.

She also underscored the importance of inclusion and gender balance, noting that women now make up 48 percent of participants. “Scaling youth transitions is not just about numbers,” Sirleaf said. “It is about dignity. It is about ensuring that every young person, regardless of background, has the tools to rise, the space to lead, and the choice to contribute meaningfully.”

Reaffirming her commitment through the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Center for Women and Development, the former president called for sustained investment in youth and women’s leadership across the continent. “Together, we are shaping a future where leadership is inclusive, growth is shared, and dignity is universal,” she stated.

The gathering also featured remarks from EPL Interim Executive Director Emily Stanger Sfeir, who reflected on her early professional experiences in Liberia and how they shaped her leadership journey.

Speaking on the concept of “career imprinting,” she explained that early professional environments strongly influence leadership values and long-term direction. “It is hard for me to overstate how meaningful it is to stand here in Liberia,” she said. “The country and the people of Liberia imprinted on me in ways that continue to shape my leadership journey today.”

She recalled arriving in Liberia in 2007 as a young fellow working under Sirleaf’s administration shortly after graduate school, noting that the experience set a high standard for public service. “She set a bar so high for what young leaders could contribute that I have carried that standard with me ever since,” Sfeir said.

Drawing on her experiences in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Malawi, including work during the Ebola outbreak and disaster response initiatives, she emphasized the importance of proactive leadership in government systems.

“These experiences taught me never to sit back,” she said. “Governments need problem-solvers who are ready to raise their hands, take initiative, and get things done.”

She stressed that EPL’s impact extends beyond its fellowship period, shaping long-term values in public service. “Fellowships don’t stop within one year,” she said. “They leave an imprint that expands and scales. Through EPL, we are instilling the belief that public service is honorable, integrity is non-negotiable, and the government can and must be a force for good.”

EPL Board Chair Emmanuel Lubembe also addressed the gathering, describing Liberia as the “spiritual home” of the movement and calling for stronger youth participation in governance reform across Africa.

“As we gather here in Liberia, the spiritual home of Emerging Public Leaders, we celebrate a vision that began 16 years ago and has grown beyond one country into a movement spanning multiple nations,” Lubembe said.

He noted that Africa’s large youth population presents both opportunity and governance challenges, particularly in job creation and public sector capacity.

“This challenge is not merely economic; it is fundamentally about governance,” he said.

Lubembe argued that EPL is helping bridge this gap by placing ethical and skilled young professionals within government institutions to improve service delivery and policy outcomes.

“By bringing ethical, professional, and talented young people into government, EPL is helping shape the policies and reforms needed to transform our countries,” he said.

He further emphasized that institutional reform must accompany leadership development for sustainable progress.

“When institutions change, countries change,” Lubembe said. “Leadership must be connected to public service reform if we are to achieve sustainable impact across Africa.”

Calling for stronger collaboration among alumni networks, he urged participants to focus on measurable impact and practical governance solutions.

“The opportunity now belongs to young leaders to shape a new narrative for public service, one that is efficient, trustworthy, innovative, and responsive to the needs of citizens,” he said.

The gathering served as a platform for fellows and alumni to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and highlight the growing impact of youth leadership in governance and development across Africa.

As the event concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to ethical leadership, institutional strengthening, and inclusive development as EPL enters its next phase of continental expansion.