Strengthening Public Sector Partnerships: AL for Governance Advances Collaboration with Government Institutions in Liberia 

Monrovia, Liberia | 19 – 20 October 2026 

For Emmanuel G. Godfrey, an Umholi we Africa (UwA) Fellowship placement has become an opportunity to contribute to Liberia’s education sector. Now, the Ministry of Education has expressed interest in retaining him beyond his Fellowship—a promising sign of how emerging African professionals can build careers in public service while supporting the institutions they join. 

His experience was one of the stories at the centre of AL for Governance’s working visit to Monrovia in October 2026. Represented by Sidoine Felix M. Leudjie and Feliciana Nezingu, the team met with four government institutions to review existing Fellowship partnerships and explore opportunities for new placements.  

Across the conversations, a shared priority emerged: connecting talented young professionals with roles where their expertise can respond to government needs. 

Building a future in Liberia’s education sector 

At the Ministry of Education, the discussion began with the contribution of a Fellow already embedded in its work. 

Emmanuel, a Cohort 3 UwA Fellow, serves as a Technical Advisor. During the visit, Her Excellency Dr Jarso M. Jallah, Minister of Education, and Hon. Sona T. Sesay, Assistant Minister responsible for the Bureau of Student Personnel Services, reflected on the Ministry’s experience hosting him and the possibilities for continued collaboration. 

Dr Jallah commended the Fellowship for opening pathways into public service and expressed interest in expanding the programme within the Ministry. The Ministry’s interest in retaining Emmanuel beyond his placement pointed to the potential for a Fellowship to become a longer-term contribution to an institution. 

The conversation also looked beyond the current placement. Dr Jallah highlighted how the programme could offer qualified young Liberians in the diaspora a pathway to return home and serve their country. 

For young professionals considering how to contribute to national development, such opportunities can provide a practical starting point: a defined role, an institutional need and the chance to put their skills to work. 

Supporting government delivery through research and analysis

At the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU), under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, the team explored another Fellow’s contribution to public service. 

Moore L. Johnson, a Cohort 4 UwA Fellow, serves as a Governance and Private Sector Development Analyst. His work has included involvement in evaluative research on government performance and the Presidential Clean Cities Initiative. 

Receiving the team, Mr Mack Capehart Mulbah, Head of the Unit, commended Moore’s ability to learn quickly and deliver on assigned responsibilities. He welcomed continued collaboration and expressed openness to hosting future Fellows. 

The discussion illustrated the importance of placements that give emerging professionals meaningful responsibilities. Fellows gain experience within government, while host institutions benefit from additional skills and analytical support for their priorities. 

Exploring new Fellowship placements in mines and energy 

Alongside reviewing existing partnerships, the visit created space to explore where future Fellows could contribute. 

At the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Hon. Fahnseth B. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Planning and Human Resource Development, met with the team to discuss potential placements and areas of institutional need. 

He brought a personal perspective to the conversation. Drawing on his own career, Hon. Mulbah shared how a similar professional development opportunity had helped him enter public service and progress professionally. 

His experience gave the discussion particular relevance: an opportunity offered early in a career can shape a professional’s future in government. 

Hon. Mulbah welcomed the proposed collaboration and committed to sharing the opportunity with the Minister. The engagement opened a conversation about how future UwA Fellows could support the Ministry’s priorities. 

Matching agricultural expertise with institutional needs

At the Ministry of Agriculture, the focus was on finding the right match between a Fellow’s background and the work of the institution. 

Hon. Francis F.B. Mulbah, Assistant Minister for Planning, Policy and Development, expressed willingness to collaborate and highlighted the value of hosting a Fellow with an agricultural background. 

Such expertise, he noted, could support the Ministry’s programmes and priorities. The discussion reinforced a central principle of effective Fellowship placements: candidates need opportunities to grow, and institutions need skills that are relevant to the work they must deliver.  

Potential collaboration will therefore depend on aligning a candidate’s technical experience with the Ministry’s needs. 

Strengthening public institutions through young African talent 

The Liberia visit brought together two perspectives: what current Fellows are contributing and where future placements could add value. 

At the Ministry of Education and the President’s Delivery Unit, the team heard encouraging feedback on Fellows already serving in government. At the ministries of Mines and Energy and Agriculture, discussions identified possibilities for extending the Fellowship’s reach. 

These engagements reaffirmed the value of partnerships built around institutional priorities. They create opportunities for young African professionals to gain public service experience while contributing to the work of government. 

For AL for Governance, the next step is to deepen these relationships and develop placements that support both institutional capacity and the growth of ethical public leaders. 

Applications for Umholi we Africa Fellowship Cohort 5 closes on 9th November 2026. The selection process continues ahead of pre-Fellowship training in June 2027 and the programme’s start in July 2027. 

Frequently asked questions

What was the purpose of AL for Governance’s visit to Liberia? 

AL for Governance visited Monrovia on 19-20 October 2026 to strengthen partnerships with government institutions hosting Umholi we Africa Fellows, review their contributions and explore opportunities for new Fellowship placements. 

What is the Umholi we Africa Fellowship? 

The Umholi we Africa (UwA) Fellowship creates pathways for emerging African professionals to contribute to public service through placements in government institutions. Fellows support institutional priorities while developing their experience and leadership skills. 

Which government institutions did the team meet? 

The team met with Liberia’s Ministry of Education, the President’s Delivery Unit under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and the Ministry of Agriculture. 

How are UwA Fellows contributing to government institutions in Liberia? 

Emmanuel G. Godfrey, a Cohort 3 Fellow, serves as a Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education. Moore L. Johnson, a Cohort 4 Fellow, serves as a Governance and Private Sector Development Analyst at the President’s Delivery Unit, with involvement in evaluative research on government performance and the Presidential Clean Cities Initiative. 

Will more Liberian ministries host UwA Fellows? 

The Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture discussed potential placements during the visit. These were exploratory discussions; new placements have not been confirmed. 

Could the Fellowship help young Liberians in the diaspora return home?

Liberia’s Minister of Education highlighted the Fellowship’s potential to create opportunities for qualified young Liberians in the diaspora to return home and contribute to public institutions. Eligibility depends on the requirements of the relevant Fellowship intake.