Nairobi: Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called upon African governments to prioritize investments in young public servants, asserting that the continent’s future leadership is in their hands.
According to Kenya News Agency, Sirleaf made these remarks in Nairobi during the launch of the Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship (PSELF) Impact Report. She highlighted the continent’s demographics, which reveal a predominantly youthful population, thus making investment in youth essential for Africa’s development. Reflecting on Liberia’s recovery post-conflict, Sirleaf recounted assuming office in 2006 with a debilitated Civil Service Commission and her efforts to attract young Liberians back to the country with competitive wages.
Sirleaf credited initiatives like the President’s Young Professionals Programme (PYPP) for grooming leaders who hold senior positions today. She noted her pride in meeting former PYPP participants now serving as deputy ministers or ministers, attributing their success to the program.
Concurrently, Felix Koskei, Head of Public Service, emphasized that leadership based on core values and mentorship drives institutional reform. He shared that fellows experienced an average 1.4-point increase in leadership skills, with nearly 80% rating their abilities highly. Additionally, over a third of fellows advanced to supervisory roles within a year, initiating numerous cross-ministerial collaborations and new processes that enhanced service efficiency.
Koskei also reported significant improvements across various sectors, such as a 42% reduction in case processing time in correctional services due to anti-corruption protocols, and a three-fold improvement in emergency coordination in health services. He stressed the importance of mentorship, noting a direct correlation with program outcomes and a higher risk of attrition where mentorship was lacking.
Daniel Musinga of the Emerging Leaders Foundation board urged new public leaders to maintain integrity, emphasizing the importance of achieving success with a positive impact on others. Public Service Commission Vice Chairperson Mary Kimonye pledged to use feedback from the forum to enhance the program, while Betsy Williams, Founder and Chair of Emerging Public Leaders, highlighted the program’s foundation on strengthening public service and its adaptation to Kenya’s governance framework.
The fellowship’s transformative impact was echoed by Matilda Esinyon, a beneficiary and Performance Management Officer at the Public Service Commission, who credited the program for boosting her confidence and ability to deliver citizen-centered solutions.
