About One Hundred (100) young leaders in politics and civil society from across Africa have converged in Monrovia to participate in this year’s cohort of the Young Political Leadership School Africa which runs from November 21-25, 2022.
This year’s cohort is held under the Theme: “Galvanizing Young Leaders with Integrity and Character to Defend Democracy and Inclusive Governance in Africa.”
At the end of the weeklong event participants will learn, share, collaborate, network, and dialogue on improving their skills in political leadership, electoral administration, and democratic governance.
The Young Political Leadership School Africa is a one-week Professional Development Training to enhance participants’ skills in planning, organizing, and implementing political campaign events, electoral management, strengthening their leadership, communication, and networking skills, among others.
YPLS Africa is known to be Africa’s leading political leadership school coaching young people for a transformed Africa, and it is a flagship program of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development.
Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the one-week event, Mr. Jim Wight, USAID-Liberia Mission Director told participants at the event to be focus and work harder and persistent in their journeys to become effective and disciplined leaders.
Mr. Wight wants young African leaders to possess the characteristics of integrity with impactful leadership attributes through volunteering services in both private and public sectors without being compromised.
“You, the leaders of Africa, work hard and don’t compromise yourselves. Do not be intimidated and discouraged of doing the right things, fight against injustices, but always remain resilient and have self-confidence while taking advantage of every opportunity that you may have to move forward”.
He noted that the younger generation make of
60% of population on the continent and the world as such it is the responsibility of Leaders to guide mentor and support those who in support of the developmental agenda.
The USAID Director said Leader should also be a good servant to those you lead your motivation and your principal goal will motivate people to support your agenda as Leader; if you want to be famous and get rich at the detriment of the people than you are not ready to Lead.
He made these remarks on Monday November 21, in Monrovia, at the start of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development’s flagship program the ‘Young Political Leadership School Africa’, cohort 9.
For her part, YPLSA Program Manager, Alphia Faith Kemokai, disclosed that the purpose of the training is to contribute to the formation of a new generation of character-driven political leaders that would be accountable, responsive, and accessible to the needs and interests of citizens and help to shape the future of their respective countries in a positive direction.
She noted; “Today, we have participants from six countries and among these countries three countries are going to elections next year, Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Additionally, we are happy to have six (6) speakers and seven (7) national and international facilitators to inspire, motivate, educate, and prepare these young people for better political leadership and electoral outcomes in Africa”.
It can be recalled that YPLS Africa was established in 2016 and has built the capacity of over 730 leaders across Africa, some of whom (alumni) are winning and occupying key leadership roles in their communities, political parties, and countries.
Naymote Partners for Democratic Development was created in 2001 and its focuses on good governance and research institution working to advance democracy, rule of law, and democratic governance in Liberia and the region. The institution believes that a purposeful and effective civil society is needed to set the national policy agenda, stimulate sound and healthy grassroots responses to governance issues, and influence the uneven power dynamics that characterize the relationship between Liberia’s citizens and government.
