Last week, the African Career Network’s AL for Governance Sector organized its fourth Governance Consortium retreat and workshop in Monrovia, Liberia, following previous engagements in Kenya, Lesotho, and Nigeria. Funded by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, this event brought together consortium members, including the African Leadership Academy, Emerging Public Leaders, The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center), LEAP Africa, and the African Leadership University (ALU) Public Sector Fellowship. The workshop aimed to foster collaboration, dialogue, and capacity-building within the consortium, with a dedicated focus on empowering women leaders across Africa through tailored programming.
Hosted at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Center for Women and Development, the event saw the participation of over 20 attendees, including representatives from various Liberian ministries, local NGOs, women’s support groups, ALA alumni, Anzisha fellows, and other stakeholders. This diverse group contributed a wealth of perspectives, underscoring the importance of advancing women’s voices in governance.
Day 1: Strategic Reflections and Future Vision
The first day was dedicated to reflecting on the consortium’s goals and solidifying actionable steps for future progress. Under the skilled facilitation of Katleho Mohono, Co-founder & CEO of NiaDelta, consortium members revisited their shared objectives and aspirations. These discussions reaffirmed three core priorities:
- Fostering Dialogue across the governance sector to drive impactful, gender-inclusive change.
- Strengthening Capacity-Building and coordination among consortium members to enhance the effectiveness of collaborative projects.
- Building Stronger Networks among participants to enable cross-collaboration and foster innovative solutions to governance challenges in Africa.
Katleho Mohono’s facilitation set an inspiring tone for the day, driving a deeper alignment on the consortium’s mission to elevate youth public leadership across the continent. The commitment and energy of all members underscored their dedication to accelerating positive change in governance and public policy.
Day 2: Empowering Women Leaders in Political Campaigning and Public Leadership
On the second day, the focus shifted to a workshop designed to equip Liberia-based women leaders with critical skills in political campaigning and public leadership. The session opened with remarks from Madam Oley Dibba-Wadda, Executive Director of the EJS Center, who shared the center’s vision and commitment to empowering women’s leadership across Africa. In an inspiring address, she reminded participants, “The youth are no longer the future, they are the present.” This powerful statement served as a call to action for young Liberians to lead the way in creating a more inclusive governance landscape.
The keynote address was delivered by Moriah Yeakula-Korkpor, a renowned lawyer and women’s rights activist. As Senior Legal Counsel at Beyond Law Chambers, her insights on overcoming barriers to women’s leadership in Liberia resonated deeply. She identified affirmative action policies, adequate campaign funding, and a zero-tolerance stance on abuse against women candidates as essential to creating a level playing field for women in governance. Her message served as a rallying cry, challenging both women and men to take concrete steps toward creating a more equitable political environment.
Panel Discussion: Addressing Women’s Rights in National Policy
The day concluded with a dynamic panel discussion titled “Policy Advice for Marginalized Communities: Addressing Women’s Rights in National Policy,” moderated by Deborah Nyarko-Mensah from the ALU Public Sector Fellowship. Panelists included Madam Hawa Dunor-Varney, a specialist in Women in Agriculture for Sustainable Development, and Madam Randolphlyn D. Johnson from the Young Africans Capacity-Building Network. They spoke to the critical need for inclusive policies that not only prioritize women’s rights but also elevate marginalized voices in policy discussions.
Madam Johnson underscored the importance of substantive roles for women in governmental agencies, emphasizing that women leaders need positions that allow them to influence policy meaningfully. Madam Dunor-Varney highlighted her organization’s “Mother’s Basket” program, a financial independence initiative that empowers rural women to achieve sustainable economic growth. Their insights reinforced the transformative potential of targeted policies and community-centered initiatives.
Moving Forward
The workshop in Monrovia provided invaluable insights and strengthened bonds among consortium members and participants. Through the dedicated work of consortium members and the inspiring contributions of leaders like Madam Oley Dibba-Wadda and Moriah Yeakula-Korkpor, the event not only highlighted the power of collaboration but also set the groundwork for impactful projects aimed at amplifying women’s voices and youth leadership in African governance.
We extend our gratitude to all speakers, panelists, and participants for their engagement, wisdom, and shared commitment to fostering a more inclusive and responsive governance landscape across Africa. As the AL for Governance Consortium continues its journey, we remain committed to empowering young leaders and advancing gender equity in governance working together to realize a brighter future for Africa.
