Accra: The Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) of Ghana, a non-profit organisation dedicated to training young professionals for public service, has successfully graduated the Sixth Cohort of its Public Service Fellowship. The graduates were urged to become change makers within their respective organisations.
According to Ghana News Agency, the graduation event, themed 'Staying to Build: Re-Imagining Public Service Leadership,' celebrated 33 young leaders who completed a year of service in various government and civil society institutions across the country. These institutions included the Ministry of Finance, Ghana Education Service, Ghana Commodity Exchange, Ghana Enterprises Agency, National Development Planning Commission, and the Millennium Development Authority.
Ms Juliet Amoah, the Country Director of EPL Ghana, emphasized the importance of young people viewing public service not as a backup career but as a purposeful and accountable role. She addressed the graduates in Accra, encouraging them to transform public service by breaking away from inefficiency and bureaucracy, and instead viewing it as a platform of purpose. Ms Amoah highlighted the need for changing mindsets and humanizing governance, urging the graduates to fill roles with values and integrity.
The training sessions provided the Fellows with hands-on experience, enabling them to contribute to reforms and innovations within their institutions. Ms Amoah also encouraged the graduates to build resilient institutions and foster workplace cultures that protect the vulnerable and elevate merit.
Mrs Elizabeth-Zionita Akorfa Dzah, the Head of Programmes at EPL Ghana, shared success stories of trainees finding their leadership voice despite challenges. She emphasized the significance of consistent efforts in public service and the importance of starting small while thinking big.
The ceremony included the EPL Ghana Special Awards, recognizing outstanding Fellows for their contributions during the fellowship. Notable awards included the Public Service Fellowship Excellence Award to Ms Charity Ama Yekple and the Innovation in Leadership Award to Mr Abel Buertey Okudzeto. The EPL Values Ambassador Award was presented to Naomi Tiyumba Joseph, while the 'Founders' Awards' were given to Priscilla Elorm Akrong and Mohammed Napare Abdul Hakam of Cohort VII.
The Cohort VI Fellows were officially inducted into the EPL Alumni Network and expressed gratitude to EPL Ghana team members through citations of appreciation. The event also featured a poetry recital by Mr Michael Agbenyegah, capturing the essence of public service.
The Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana, in collaboration with partners, aims to enhance public service delivery by equipping ethically conscious young Ghanaians to instigate systemic change. Graduates from the Ghana Programme join a broader EPL Alumni network, comprising over 500 young public service professionals globally.
