PYPP GRADUATES 33 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FROM COHORT 12 AS GOVERNMENT HAILS PROGRAM AS FLAGSHIP PIPELINE FOR BUILDING LIBERIA’S NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC SERVANTS
BY: Rufus Divine Brooks Jr.
MONROVIA, Liberia — The President’s Young Professionals Program (PYPP) on Thursday graduated 33 young Professionals Liberians from its Class X|| cohort 12, marking another milestone for the government’s flagship initiative to build a new generation of public servants.
The commencement ceremony was held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, bringing together graduates, government officials, mentors, and development partners.
Established in 2009 by a consortium of visionary funders with support from the Government of Liberia, PYPP is a prestigious, competitive two-year fellowship that recruits top university graduates and places them in critical roles across ministries, agencies, and commissions.
Over 17 years, it has become one of Africa’s most selective programs for leadership in public service, with thousands of applicants competing for limited slots annually.
Speaking at the Graduation Ceremony in Congo Town, PYPP Executive Director, Madam Ciata Stevens D’Almeida, charged the graduates to lead with integrity and excellence as they transition into full-time government roles.
She noted that they entered the program as applicants among thousands, endured the bootcamp, the placements, the long hours, and the pressure of public service.
But now, they exit as professionals ready to serve.
She described PYPP as one of the most demanding leadership development programs in the public sector and reaffirmed that PYPP REMAINS THE GOVERNMENT’S FLAGSHIP PROGRAM FOR BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC SERVANTS.”
D’Almeida noted that Class XII was deployed to institutions where they contributed to policy development, data analysis, communications, finance, and service delivery.
“_PYPP was not created to give jobs. It was created to build a new culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation in government,_” she added.
Also speaking, Civil Service Agency Director General Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr, who also serves as Board Chairman of PYPP, urged graduates to apply their skills, integrity, and experience to Liberia’s national development.
“_Strong institutions depend on capable and ethical people.
PYPP is more than a fellowship, It is an important pathway for developing Liberia’s next generation of public servants and leaders,_” Dr. Joekai said.
He highlighted that PYPP alumni have gone on to assume senior roles in government, pursue advanced degrees, and work with international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.
Linking the program to CSA’s broader reform agenda, Dr. Joekai said government can modernize recruitment, strengthen performance management, and introduce technology but such systems cannot transform Liberia without competent people to operate them.
He challenged the graduates to become a problem solvers, innovators, and ethical leaders capable of using data and technology responsibly, especially when faced with broken systems and difficult decisions.
Delivering the keynote address, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan urged the new alumni to use what they have learned to serve the country with trust and professionalism.
“_With what you have learned, various ministries and agencies can now trust you with work meant to transform the lives of Liberians,_” Minister Ngafuan told the graduates.
He praised PYPP mentors, supervisors, and development partners for their role in shaping the cohort.
With the graduation of Class XII, PYPP continues to serve as the government’s primary vehicle for recruiting and retaining young talent in the public sector, a critical component of Liberia’s efforts to build a professional, merit-based, ethical, accountable, and results-oriented civil service.
