More than 100 young Ghanaians are leading change in government through the Public Service Fellowship by Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana (EPL Ghana). Initiated in 2018, EPL Ghana has partnered more than 40 local public sector organisations to train and equip young Ghanaians to influence change within the public service.
The Fellowship Programme is a transformative one-year initiative designed to nurture a new workforce of ethically conscious change leaders committed to leveraging innovative trends for systems change to improve public service delivery.
Supported by the Mastercard Foundation, the Fellowship is part of Emerging Public Leaders’ pan-African network across Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Sierra Leone—building a new generation of values-driven, ethical, and innovative leaders.
The Fellowship Programme was co-founded in Liberia in 2009 by former President, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and has since expanded – with support of our partner the Mastercard Foundation – into a pan-Africa network, adapting and replicating this successful initiative. Through this initiative, EPL Ghana and EPL continues to help foster a meritocratic, innovative, and values-driven public service workforce to raise a new generation of leaders dedicated to advancing public service delivery.
Who is Eligible for the Fellowship?
The Fellowship welcomes Ghanaian graduates aged 22–32 who are passionate about leadership, governance, and systems change within the public service and who have completed the one-year mandatory national service
The programme actively prioritizes inclusion—encouraging applications from young women, persons with disabilities, and Mastercard Foundation Scholars. This inclusion provides diverse young talents a pathway to start a successful career within the public service.
Eligibility Requirements
- Eager to contribute to transforming public service delivery.
- Be a Ghanaian national living in-country at the time of application with a valid Ghana Card
- Holds a minimum undergraduate degree qualification
- Aged 22-32 years
- Have completed National Service and possess a National Service certificate
- Committed to staying in-service for at least 3 years after fellowship
- Demonstrated passion for public service, governance, leadership, development policy and public administration
- Ability to work in diverse teams and engage stakeholders
- Commitment to community service and has strong problem-solving skills
- Possess basic computer skills and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and other Ghanaian languages
Application Documents Required
- Ghana Card/Passport
- University Certificate(s)
- NSS Certificate
- Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum)
- Passport Picture
Application & Selection Process
Applications are submitted via the Nyansapo Knowledge Portal. Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the end of April 2025 and will undergo interviews, assessments, and evaluations to ensure strong alignment with public service values and goals
Refer to Figure 1. Below for the detailed application process.
Figure 1.
Fellowship Benefits
EPL Ghana’s Fellowship offers all successful applicants a one-year sponsored participation in our carefully curated, comprehensive, and experiential learning programme designed to build the capacity of selected Fellows for improved public services delivery. The training equips Fellows with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in a job placement in Government Agencies including Ministries, Departments and State-Owned Enterprises.
Core Components of the Fellowship
Strategic Public Service Job Placement: Fellows gain hands-on experience by working in key government institutions, where they contribute directly to improving governance and policy implementation while building professional credibility and networks.
Comprehensive Professional Development & Mentorship: Fellows are equipped through structured learning and mentorship, in addition to periodic training sessions on organisational strengthening, leadership, and digital skills. Through EPL Ghana’s knowledge sharing events like the Thought Leadership Arena and By the Fireside, Fellows gain additional insights on national policy and development issues through engagement with seasoned professionals from both the public and private sectors. These engagements contribute to enriching Fellows learning experience and set them up to become successful professionals driving impact across sectors.
Ethics & Integrity Development: The programme builds the consciousness of Fellows to uphold integrity, promote transparency and accountability, and contribute to the fight against corruption and strengthening of public services provision through ethical decision-making and behaviour.
Community Immersion: Community service is an integral aspect of our Fellowship Programme, offering Fellows invaluable experiential learning opportunities to actively participate in governance initiatives and contribute to community-driven projects aimed at influencing policy.
Fellow Assessment & Feedback: EPL Ghana has established a structured performance assessment mechanism to evaluate Fellows’ performance throughout the Fellowship period. Assessments are conducted periodically among Fellows and with input from their supervisors and host organisations. The evaluation mechanism equally provides EPL Ghana an opportunity to collate programme feedback from Fellows and partner organisations for continuous programme improvement.
Wellness: Fellow’s well-being is at the core of our programme. EPL Ghana provides psychosocial support, professional counselling services and health insurance to ensure all Fellows and mentally resilient and optimally productive throughout the Fellowship period. Persons living with disabilities who are admitted into the programme are provided with appropriate disability-assisted resources, ensuring they are not disadvantaged and can fully benefit from all aspects of the programme.
Post-Fellowship Support & Alumni Network: The impact of the Public Service Fellowship extends beyond the one-year programme. Upon graduation from the Fellowship, Fellows are inducted into EPL’s dynamic alumni network across the five African countries where EPL is operational. All alumni of the programme in Ghana join the wider alumni network and benefit from lifelong learning opportunities and peer support from young public leaders across Africa. The Ghana Alumni community have access to relevant EPL related knowledge sharing events like The Fireside Chats and Thought Leadership Arena. Our Alumni have transitioned into high-impact roles in government agencies, NGOs, and other international development organisations.
Why you should get involved
Over the years, most Ghanaians have been dissatisfied with general national governance and public service delivery especially in the provision of healthcare, education, electricity, water and sanitation services and in the maintenance of roads and bridges. “Ghanaians evaluate the government as having performed “very badly” or “fairly badly” in providing reliable public services.”, Afrobarometer
Effective and efficient public service is evidenced to impact citizens-wellbeing, transform economies, and build resilient and lasting societies through the provision of essential services. Improving public service in Ghana is therefore critical for our socio-economic development and national prosperity.
Strengthening public service is key to Ghana’s development. EPL Ghana, with support from the Mastercard Foundation and other partners, is helping reimagine governance—one young leader at a time. You can be part of this transformative journey by sending your donations to EPL Ghana.
Partnerships & Collaborations
The Ghana programme is implemented by Emerging Public Leaders of Ghana in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Public Services Commission of Ghana and the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
