MONROVIA – The Young Political Leadership School Africa has concluded a five-day alumni peer-learning and reflection mission in Freetown aimed at promoting democratic governance, youth leadership, and regional collaboration among young leaders in West Africa.
The engagement, held from May 4–8, 2026, brought together YPLS Africa alumni from Liberia and Sierra Leone under the leadership of Naymote Partners for Democratic Development.
The initiative focused on strengthening civic participation, electoral integrity, peacebuilding, women’s political empowerment, and youth inclusion in governance processes across the region.
During the mission, participants visited several key institutions, including the Parliament of Sierra Leone, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, the National Youth Commission, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Discussions centered on democratic governance, youth participation, and institutional accountability.
At the Parliament of Sierra Leone, alumni examined the implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act of 2022, which guarantees a minimum of 30 percent representation for women in public leadership and decision-making positions.
Participants described the legislation as a significant milestone for women’s empowerment in the region, while emphasizing the need for sustained advocacy and stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure meaningful implementation.
Officials at the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone also briefed the delegation on ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency and credibility in the electoral process. The commission highlighted the use of digital candidate registration systems designed to strengthen accountability and promote compliance with gender inclusion measures.
In a statement issued following the mission, YPLS Africa stressed that credible elections require continuous civic engagement, institutional transparency, and informed citizen participation beyond election-day activities.
At the National Youth Commission, Commissioner Joseph Maada Lahai encouraged young people to become active participants in policymaking and governance.
“Policies change actions, and only politicians approve policies. So, if you want to change the actions of people, you must be part of the group of people who craft and approve policies,” Lahai told participants.
The delegation also held discussions with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Youth Affairs, Ibrahim Sannoh, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to youth empowerment initiatives and pledged support for YPLS Africa’s upcoming 13th Cohort and 10th Anniversary celebration in Liberia.
Reflecting on the exchange program, YPLS Africa Program Manager Alphia Faith Kemokai said the initiative represented more than a learning experience.
“When young people from different countries sit, reflect, and learn together, we are not just exchanging ideas — we are building a shared future for Africa,” she said.
Sierra Leone Chapter Lead Mohamed Harass Barrie also underscored the importance of collective youth action in strengthening democratic institutions across the region.
“Real change happens when youth move beyond conversation into collective action that influences institutions and transforms societies,” Barrie noted.
Over the past decade, YPLS Africa says it has trained more than 1,200 young leaders across 14 African countries, many of whom now serve in political parties, civil society organizations, media institutions, student leadership, and public service.
The organization said its programs align with Africa’s Agenda 2063, ECOWAS Vision 2050, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a continued emphasis on promoting youth participation in democratic governance.
According to the organization, the Sierra Leone mission comes at a critical time as several West African countries prepare for upcoming elections, with young people constituting a significant portion of the voting population.
YPLS Africa said the mission further strengthened regional cooperation in civic education, electoral integrity, social cohesion, non-violent advocacy, and youth leadership development.
The organization also disclosed plans to expand its regional engagement through a proposed Democracy Hub initiative while strengthening its alumni network ahead of its anniversary activities in Liberia.
Follow The Liberian Post on Facebook and X (formerly twitter)
