Ghana is set to host the Young Political Leadership School (YPLS) Africa 2026, a flagship youth leadership program that has already made a big impact across the continent.
Since it started nearly ten years ago, Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has run YPLS Africa in Liberia, training over 1,230 young leaders from 13 African countries. Graduates of the program have gone on to achieve important milestones, including holding high-level positions and winning elections across Africa.
On August 26, 2025, the program’s founder, Eddie D. Jarwolo, met in Accra with Samuel Koku Anyidoho, Founder and President of the MILLS Institute for Transformational Leadership Development, and Asante Kissi, Executive Director of Elections Consult Africa. They discussed plans to bring YPLS Africa to Ghana, with participants expected from across the continent.
After the meeting, Mr. Anyidoho told the media that Ghana has a special role in Africa’s democratic journey. “Ghana’s democratic progress, stability, and leadership in the ECOWAS region make it the perfect place for this important initiative. Through this partnership, we want to create training programs that fit Ghana’s context and help young people engage positively in politics, strengthen democracy, and support accountable governance,” he said.
Mr. Jarwolo shared his excitement about expanding YPLS Africa beyond Liberia. “We’re thrilled to bring YPLS Africa to Ghana. Our goal is to set up chapters in many more West African countries. This will help grow youth leadership and democratic values throughout the region,” he said.
Elections expert Mr. Kissi added that the program’s main goal is to give young Africans the knowledge and skills to think for themselves. “We want to make sure young people get the right information so they are well-prepared and can’t be easily influenced,” he said.
The partners have already created a detailed plan to launch the Ghana chapter and develop new teaching materials. Their ultimate aim is to encourage learning across countries and support a new generation of leaders who can bring fresh energy to Africa’s politics.
More details about the Ghana chapter will be shared in the coming months.
