Monrovia-Twenty-three young Liberians have graduated from the five-month Governance and Anti-Corruption Fellowship (GAF) Program, with organizers urging them to use their knowledge and skills to promote accountability, integrity, and good governance in Liberia.
The first cohort of the fellowship graduated on Wednesday, September 15, during a ceremony held at the Liberia Learning Center in Paynesville.
The program was implemented by NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development in partnership with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
The fellowship brought together emerging leaders, civic leaders, university student leaders, and young public sector professionals for training aimed at strengthening their understanding of governance and their role in promoting accountable institutions.
Over the five-month period, fellows were exposed to issues including integrity and ethical leadership, transparency and accountability, good governance, civic responsibility, anti-corruption advocacy, and institutional accountability.
Delivering the keynote address, LACC Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation, Dr. Miatta Jeh, challenged the graduates to become active contributors to the fight against corruption and efforts to strengthen democratic governance in Liberia.
Speaking on the theme, “The Role of Young Governance Professionals and Civic Leaders in Building Accountable Institutions, Combating Corruption, and Strengthening Democracy in Liberia,” Dr. Jeh said corruption continues to affect critical sectors of society.
She identified education, healthcare, infrastructure, public procurement, and public confidence in government institutions among areas that can be negatively affected by corruption.
Dr. Jeh therefore encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge acquired during the fellowship to their respective communities, workplaces, and institutions.
She stressed the importance of young professionals taking an active role in promoting ethical leadership and demanding greater transparency and accountability from institutions.
Meanwhile, President of the graduating class, Amelia F. Lardner, reminded her colleagues that receiving their certificates should not mark the end of their responsibility to society.
Lardner said the graduates should now move from learning about governance and accountability to actively contributing to positive change.
“We are no longer just observers. We are administrators, advocates and change agents,” she told her fellow graduates.
She further urged the graduates to lead with courage and serve with accountability as they begin the next phase of their professional and civic journeys.
The fellowship organizers said the 23 graduates will now transition into the internship phase of the program, where they are expected to gain practical experience and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the five-month training.
The internship component is intended to provide the fellows with practical exposure to governance, public service, accountability, and anti-corruption work.
The successful completion of the first cohort marks what organizers describe as an important step in developing a new generation of governance professionals and civic leaders in Liberia.
Meanwhile, organizers have announced that applications for the second cohort of the Governance and Anti-Corruption Fellowship are expected to open shortly.
Young Liberians with an interest in governance, civic leadership, public service, accountability, and anti-corruption advocacy are being encouraged to follow the official communication channels of LACC and NAYMOTE for information on the application process.
The organizers say the fellowship is part of broader efforts to invest in young Liberians and equip them with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to contribute to building transparent and accountable institutions.
With the completion of the first cohort, the 23 graduates are expected to move into the internship phase while preparations begin for the next group of young Liberians to participate in the program.
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