Published: July 13, 2026
MONROVIA — Naymote Partners for Democratic Development has trained 25 young members of political parties from across Liberia under its Political Party Youth Leadership and Capacity-Building Training Program, marking a significant step toward strengthening youth participation, democratic leadership and political accountability.
The participants, representing 13 political parties, were selected from 45 applicants through what organizers described as a competitive, transparent and inclusive selection process, underscoring Naymote’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of political leaders.
Held on July 10 at Naymote’s headquarters in Monrovia, the training sought to deepen participants’ understanding of Liberia’s electoral legal framework, the electoral cycle, the role of political parties in democratic governance and proposed electoral law reforms.
The initiative also aimed to equip young political actors with the leadership skills, knowledge and confidence needed to engage constructively in political processes, contribute to policy discussions and promote accountable and inclusive governance.
The sessions were facilitated by Eddie D. Jarwolo, an accredited BRIDGE facilitator and governance expert, alongside Cllr. Sarnyenneh M. Dickson, a Liberian lawyer and governance and accountability practitioner.
According to Naymote, post-training assessments revealed significant gaps in participants’ previous understanding of Liberia’s electoral laws, democratic processes and proposed electoral reforms.
Participants also identified major obstacles limiting meaningful youth participation within political parties, including inadequate leadership development opportunities, weak internal structures for youth engagement and limited support for sustained political participation beyond election periods.
The organization said the findings underscore the urgent need for continued investment in youth leadership development to strengthen Liberia’s democratic institutions and governance.
During the training, participants received practical instruction on Liberia’s constitutional and electoral framework, including the Constitution, the New Elections Law, the Code of Conduct and regulations governing the National Elections Commission.
The discussions also explored how these laws and institutions shape the organization, administration and credibility of elections while highlighting mechanisms for resolving electoral disputes and strengthening public confidence in democratic processes.
Building on the success and lessons of its Young Political Leadership School Africa (YPLS Africa) initiative, Naymote announced plans to establish the program as a long-term platform for developing young political leaders nationwide.
The organization said future cohorts will continue to provide training, mentorship, internships, think tank engagement and community service opportunities designed to promote ethical, citizen-centered leadership, evidence-based political dialogue, public policy engagement, accountability and democratic reforms.
Each cohort will train 25 young political party members, with deliberate efforts to ensure greater participation of young women to strengthen inclusive political leadership.
Naymote further pledged to continue collaborating with young political party members and the Inter-Party Youth Council of Liberia to strengthen youth structures within political parties, promote inclusive and democratic party systems, expand leadership development opportunities, encourage cross-party collaboration and leverage digital platforms to enhance civic engagement.
Through the initiative, the organization said it aims to empower young Liberians to play a more constructive role in shaping political decisions, advancing accountability and contributing to the country’s democratic future.
Highlighting the importance of youth leadership, Naymote Executive Director Eddie D. Jarwolo described young people as Liberia’s greatest democratic asset.
“Young people are Liberia’s largest and most influential demographic, with the power to shape elections, influence public policy, and strengthen democracy. Investing in their leadership and democratic knowledge is an investment in Liberia’s future. Naymote remains committed to equipping young political leaders with the skills and knowledge to lead with integrity and drive positive democratic change,” Jarwolo said.
Also speaking, Trokon George, Chairman of the Inter-Party Youth Council of Liberia and National Youth Chair of the African Liberation League, emphasized that meaningful youth participation is essential to democratic governance.
“Youth representation is not a privilege; it is the foundation of a vibrant democracy. I will continue advocating for greater youth leadership and influence within political parties,” George said.
Participants also praised the initiative for strengthening their understanding of electoral governance.
Benefit J. Tweh, Vice Chair for Women’s Affairs of the Citizens Movement for Change, said the training enhanced her understanding of electoral systems and proposed reforms while reinforcing her advocacy for gender equality.
“This training empowered me to better understand electoral systems and proposed electoral law reforms. It also strengthened my ability to advocate for gender inclusion, including the proposed 30% minimum representation for women,” she said.
Similarly, Larry Sharlty, Co-Chair for International Affairs of the Inter-Party Youth Council of Liberia, pledged to transfer the knowledge acquired during the training to fellow members of his political institution.
“The lessons from this training will not stop here. I am committed to sharing them within my party to strengthen democratic leadership and build a more responsive political institution,” Sharlty said.
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