Margibi County – The Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS Africa) on Tuesday officially launched its 13th Cohort Training under the theme:, “Empowering the Future: From Learning to Leadership for Africa’s Agenda 2063,” while celebrating a decade of transformative leadership development across the African continent.
By Patience M. Jones
The opening ceremony, held at the Royal Ambassador Hotel in Unification Town along the Roberts International Airport Highway in Margibi County, brought together more than 200 emerging leaders from across Africa, government officials, diplomats, development partners, civil society actors and youth advocates committed to strengthening democratic governance and leadership on the continent.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as participants, dressed in the school’s traditional black-and-white cohort attire, sang solidarity songs and chants symbolizing unity, leadership and a shared commitment to Africa’s future.
A major highlight of the opening ceremony was the recognition of distinguished individuals whose contributions have significantly supported youth leadership development and democratic governance. Honorees included Karl Backéus, Ambassador of Sweden to Liberia and Sierra Leone; Ms. Massa Crayton, educator and development practitioner; and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bakri Nyei, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration at Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Delivering the keynote address, South African Member of Parliament, Leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA) and President of the African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress (ADAFP), Mmusi Maimane, challenged young Africans to embrace courageous leadership and defend democratic values across the continent.
Maimane stressed that Africa’s future depends on ethical leadership, strong institutions, accountability, and active youth participation.
He warned against corruption, authoritarianism, and weak governance structures while calling on young people to become champions of democracy, economic transformation and continental integration.
“Africa will not be served by dictators. Africa will be served by democrats who understand that public office exists to serve the people,” Maimane declared to loud applause from participants.
He further urged African leaders to prioritize economic development, reduce dependency on debt, invest in infrastructure and ensure that Africa’s abundant natural resources are transformed into opportunities that benefit its citizens.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Cornelia Wonkerleh Kruah, delivered a compelling ministerial reflection on youth leadership, political participation, and regional cooperation.
Speaking on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the Government of Liberia(GoL), Minister Kruah welcomed delegates and highlighted Liberia’s democratic progress and commitment to youth empowerment.
She emphasized the importance of political education, civic consciousness, and regional solidarity, noting that programs such as YPLS Africa are critical to nurturing a generation of informed and responsible leaders capable of advancing Africa’s development agenda.
“The transition from learning to leadership is not linear. The best leaders remain lifelong learners,” she told participants.
Minister Kruah also reflected on her personal leadership journey and encouraged young people to remain resilient, embrace public service, and build meaningful relationships across borders.
Representing Sierra Leone, Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, praised YPLS Africa for creating a platform that unites young Africans around common challenges and shared solutions.
He emphasized that Africa’s youthful population should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a challenge and called on participants to embrace innovation, education, regional cooperation and economic transformation.
“Africa has the solutions to its own challenges. The responsibility rests with us to transform our resources, strengthen our institutions, and create opportunities for our people,” Sannoh said.
Meanwhile, YPLS Africa Program Manager Alphia Faith Kemokai highlighted the institution’s achievements over the past decade.
According to Kemokai, YPLS Africa has trained more than 1,200 young leaders from 15 African countries since its establishment in 2016. She disclosed that more than 50 alumni have contested national elections, over 35 have been appointed to government and professional positions, and more than 100 have assumed leadership roles in political parties, civil society organizations, student bodies and professional institutions.
“These are not just statistics. They represent young Africans who have been equipped with the skills, values, and confidence to lead and serve their communities,” she noted.
A major milestone of the event was the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress (ADAFP) and Naymote Partners for Democratic Development.
The agreement establishes the ADAFP Leadership Training Academy, a permanent Pan-African institution headquartered in Monrovia, Liberia, dedicated to political education, democratic leadership development, public policy learning, and governance training across the continent.
Under the agreement, Naymote will serve as the Academy’s Founding Host and Institutional Partner, while ADAFP will provide strategic leadership and oversight. The Academy is expected to offer leadership courses, fellowships, policy dialogues, executive programs, and democratic governance training in English, French and Portuguese.
The partnership represents a significant step toward strengthening democratic leadership and building a new generation of ethical and competent public leaders throughout Africa.
The Young Political Leadership School Africa was founded in 2016 as a bold initiative in Liberia with an inaugural class of just 30 young leaders. Today, it has evolved into a vibrant Pan-African leadership movement dedicated to preparing ethical, accountable, and visionary leaders for democratic governance across the continent.
Inspired by an idea first encountered at the World Movement for Democracy Assembly in Lima, Peru, and championed by Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo, YPLS Africa was established to address a critical gap in youth political leadership development.
Over the past decade, the program has trained more than 1,200 young leaders from across Africa, many of whom now serve in political parties, government institutions, civil society organizations, advocacy platforms and other public leadership roles.
Cohort 13 marks the institution’s tenth anniversary and serves as a significant “Decade of Impact” milestone. Under the theme, “Empowering the Future: From Learning to Leadership for Africa’s Agenda 2063,” the cohort brings together emerging leaders from 13 African countries for six days of intensive political education, ethical leadership development, mentorship, peer learning and practical engagement.
At the heart of YPLS Africa is the belief that when young political and civic leaders are equipped with political knowledge, ethical grounding, strategic tools, and supportive networks, they become better prepared to navigate political systems effectively, ethically, and inclusively.
Organizers believe this approach contributes to increased youth representation, improved governance practices, stronger democratic institutions, and a more prosperous future for Africa.
