NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a strategic partnership to implement the Governance and Anti-Corruption Fellowship (GAF) Program, a two-year initiative aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in Liberia.
The signing of the MOU marks a significant milestone in national efforts to build a new generation of leaders committed to ethical governance and public integrity. While the agreement formalizes cooperation between the two institutions, officials emphasize that it does not constitute the official launch of the Fellowship Program, which will be announced at a later date.
The GAF Program, described as the first fellowship of its kind in Liberia, is designed to empower emerging leaders, civic actors, university student leaders, and young public-sector professionals. Participants will be equipped with practical skills, technical knowledge, and professional exposure to promote good governance, fight corruption, and support democratic development across the country.
Speaking on the importance of the partnership, both NAYMOTE Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo and LACC Executive Chairperson Alexandra Zoe noted that the initiative aligns with Liberia’s broader development priorities, particularly the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID 2025–2029).
The program seeks to complement national anti-corruption efforts by building human capital and fostering stronger collaboration between civil society organizations and public institutions.
Under the partnership, NAYMOTE and LACC aim to build the capacity of young professionals in governance and anti-corruption practices, create pathways for mentorship and professional development, and promote innovation and research in integrity systems.
The Fellowship is also expected to serve as a platform for nurturing ethical leadership and encouraging citizen-centered approaches to public service delivery.
The collaboration comes at a critical time for Liberia, where young people represent a significant majority of the population.
According to national statistics, approximately 74.6 percent of Liberians are under the age of 35, underscoring the need for targeted investments in youth leadership and civic engagement.
Both NAYMOTE and LACC said initiatives such as the GAF Program could play a pivotal role in addressing long-standing governance challenges by empowering young leaders to become change agents within their communities and institutions.
By combining NAYMOTE’s experience in democratic governance programming with LACC’s statutory mandate to prevent and combat corruption, the partnership is expected to deliver both practical impact and long-term institutional strengthening.
Both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity, describing the MOU as a shared pledge to support Liberia’s democratic transformation.
As preparations continue toward the formal launch of the Fellowship Program, stakeholders across government, civil society, and academia are expected to closely follow the initiative’s development.
The GAF Program is anticipated to contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s quest for accountable governance by investing in the country’s most valuable resource—its young people.
