-As Women Dominate Its Cohort 12 Graduation
By Jerromie S. Walters
CONGO TOWN, Liberia – At the graduation ceremony for its Cohort 12 on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Gonet Academy announced that 58.4% of its 827 graduating professionals were women, a statistic its founder hailed as a core part of its mission to bridge the skills gap in Liberia and beyond. Gonet Academy is a premier professional development institution dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, tools, and networks needed to excel in their careers
Mohammed Kerkulah, Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of the institution, characterized its recent achievement within a context of global economic shifts, including the rapid transformation driven by digitalization, automation, and climate change, which are collectively redefining the skills needed to thrive in a competitive world. He cited a World Economic Forum report indicating that over one billion people will require reskilling by 2030, a challenge acutely felt in regions like Liberia where young people are nearly three times more likely to be unemployed than adults.
He attributes this often to a persistent mismatch between formal education and the practical skills demanded by employers. In response to these challenges, Kerkulah positioned Gonet Academy as an institution deeply aligned with global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and national priorities such as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which places human capital development and youth empowerment at its center. Kerkulah articulated the academy’s ambition to become the premier center for continuous professional development not only in Liberia but throughout West Africa and the broader continent, a vision supported by a concrete three-year strategic plan for 2025-2027.
He reported that since its inception, the academy has now empowered over 5,000 professionals through short-term, career-focused programs in sectors critical to sustainable development, such as monitoring and evaluation, project management, information technology, business, and leadership. Moreover, He emphasized that the academy’s approach is defined by blending theoretical knowledge with practical, workplace-ready competence. To support this growth, Kerkulah detailed significant institutional investments, including over $25,000 recently spent on facility upgrades and the imminent arrival of 250 new computers to enhance the learning environment.
He also highlighted infrastructure improvements such as the installation of comprehensive CCTV security systems and the development of a new online learning platform designed to provide unlimited access to professional content for students anywhere, using just a mobile phone. A key innovation announced was the launch of a dedicated alumni network platform, which will allow graduates to create professional profiles and showcase their credentials, ensuring their achievements are recognized.
Kerkulah also emphasized that the academy’s trainers are now recognized as strategic partners and training specialists, integral to the institution’s development. Addressing the institution’s compliance and future direction, Kerkulah assured stakeholders that Gonet Academy is actively working with the National Commission on Higher Education and the Ministry of Education to meet all quality standards and is pursuing international partnerships to align its certifications with global best practices.
“Conquer the Fear“:
In her keynote address, Prof. Edna G. Johnny, President of the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA), urged the new graduates to embrace risk and conquer the fear of failure, sharing a story of her own terror before a high-stakes presentation that ultimately launched her career. Prof. Johnny reframed the celebration not just as a reward for past resilience, but as a call to action for future courage.
“Fear will hold you down, but if you don’t try, you cannot succeed,” she declared, addressing the graduates who she said embodied “fortitude” and “perseverance” by reaching this milestone. The professor centered her message on a vulnerable moment from her own life. After completing her master’s degree, she was invited to present research on Liberia’s minimum wage to the government, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
“I was terrified—afraid to fail, afraid to embarrass myself. I made excuses,” Prof. Johnny confessed. “But eventually, I prayed, gathered courage, and went forward. That presentation opened doors not only for me but also for the University of Liberia. The fear of failure almost kept me from a breakthrough.” She directly addressed a common anxiety among new graduates: the hesitation to apply for jobs or pursue opportunities due to feelings of being unqualified or fear of rejection. “Many graduates hide their talents because they are afraid of being laughed at,” she said.
Noting that more than half of the graduating class were women, Prof. Johnny, a known advocate for female empowerment, offered special congratulations to the female graduates. “Yes, we face many challenges as women, but we remain resilient, determined not to be left behind,” she stated. “We are taking ownership of our achievements and building success on our own terms.” She challenged all graduates to engage in serious self-reflection, asking, “Who am I? What do I want to do after graduation? What kind of person do I want to be?”
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr., she reminded them that meaningful “change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability but comes through continuous struggle.” In one of the speech’s most vivid passages, Prof. Johnny painted a stark picture of a life haunted by regret. She asked the graduates to imagine being on their deathbeds, surrounded by the “ghosts” of unfulfilled potential—dreams never pursued, talents never shared. “They would ask you: ‘Why didn’t you use us? Why are we going with you to the grave?’” she said. “Do not let fear rob you of your future.”
She emphasized that failure is not an end but a necessary step toward discovery. “Every failed experiment brings you closer to success,” she argued. Concluding with a charge to serve Liberia, Prof. Johnny invoked the words of Nelson Mandela, urging the graduates to never “settle for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” “As you leave here today, never be discouraged. Never hold back,” she said. “And when life knocks you down, fall forward so that you can rise again.”
Comprehensive Skills Development Initiative:
In separate remarks, the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Director General Dr. Dugbeh Chris Nyan, and Hon. Abraham Billy, Director General of the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau (AITB) encouraged graduates to be innovative and actively contribute to national development. Dr. Chris Nyan stressed the importance of practical skills, urging new graduates to be proactive in their professional growth.
On the other hand, the Director General of the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau (AITB), unveiled a groundbreaking national skills development program aimed at transforming Liberia’s technical and vocational education landscape. Billy highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing critical challenges in skills training.
The initiative focuses on enhancing institutional capacity, improving resource allocation, and introducing a national licensing process for technical and vocational graduates. “We are working to ensure confidence and competence in our graduates,” Billy emphasized. The program targets 5,000 graduates across various professional programs, with a key objective of creating a robust national examination and licensing system.
Gonet Academy‘s mission is to empower individuals through high-quality professional development, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, tools, and networks needed to lead change, drive innovation, and contribute to the transformation of their communities, country, and Africa at large. The institution specializes in continuous professional development, equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce. Its programs are designed to foster leadership, innovation, and career growth, empowering professionals, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders to transform their communities and industries.
