By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Gonet Academy held its Cohort 14 graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026, conferring certificates upon 863 graduates while highlighting the exceptional performance of female learners who achieved a 95.88 percent completion rate, surpassing their male counterparts.
The ceremony, held at the Harvest Intercontinental Cathedral in Congo Town, brought together government officials, representatives of partner institutions, training specialists, parents, families, and members of the media to honor the graduating class. In her keynote address, Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, urged the graduates to pair excellence with ethical leadership and service.
Minister Horace-Kollie praised Gonet Academy’s commitment to inclusive education and gender equality, noting that the majority of the graduating class were women. She described the milestone as both a celebration of individual perseverance and a sign of the institution’s contribution to national human-capacity development—an effort she said aligns with the Government of Liberia’s agenda for inclusive development across education, health, sanitation, youth empowerment, and services for persons with disabilities.
“Today’s achievement is a testament to unwavering determination, discipline, and sacrifice,” the minister told graduates, their families, and academy leadership. She urged the class to treat graduation not as an endpoint but as the commencement of a lifelong journey of learning, growth, and purposeful service. Horace-Kollie framed her remarks around a message titled “Beyond Graduation,” calling on graduates to pursue excellence as a habit rather than a one-time event and to place integrity at the center of their careers.
She warned of temptations to cut corners in a fast-paced, competitive world and emphasized that qualifications may open doors, but character sustains success. “Build a personal brand that needs no explanation,” she said, highlighting honesty, accountability, professionalism, and trustworthiness as the “invaluable currency” for every profession. She encouraged graduates to own their victories—and their mistakes—promptly, and to let their integrity be as visible as their credentials.
The minister also challenged graduates to embrace purposeful leadership—defined in her speech as influence and service—and to apply their skills to uplift communities and drive national development. She urged entrepreneurship and innovation, advising graduates not to wait for perfect conditions but to begin where they are and use available resources to create impact. Horace-Kollie underscored the importance of relationships and collaboration, invoking the African proverb: “If you want to go far, go together.”
She called on graduates to forge networks grounded in trust, respect, and authenticity, saying those connections could become pathways to future opportunities. In closing, she quoted Benjamin Franklin—“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”—and encouraged continuous learning, critical thinking, compassion, and ethical leadership. In addition to her address, the minister awarded a job to one of the graduates in Ms. Sweetie Brown, at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP).
Kerkulah Lauds the data
Cohort 14 enrolled 1,012 learners, making it the second-largest cohort in the history of Gonet Academy, surpassed only by Cohort 12. Learners represented all fifteen counties of Liberia, demonstrating that professional development is becoming a national movement rather than an urban privilege.
According to data presented during the ceremony by Gonet Academy’s Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer Mohammed Kerkulah, female learners comprised 5.4 percent of enrollment but achieved an exceptional 95.88 percent completion rate, compared to 90.93 percent among male learners. “These numbers tell a story,” Kerkulah said. “A story of resilience. A story of determination. A story of women refusing to be left behind. To every woman graduating today—you are helping redefine leadership in Liberia.”
Kerkulah celebrated that Gonet’s commitment to quality was reflected in learning outcomes. Participants improved from an average 45 percent baseline knowledge to 93.1 percent at endline, representing a remarkable 48.1 percent knowledge gain. “These are not just statistics,” he emphasized. “They represent confidence gained. Competencies developed. Careers strengthened. Lives transformed.”
Among the 863 graduates, the breakdown included:
723 graduates from Foundational Certificate Programs, 126 graduates from Comprehensive Professional Programs, and 14 graduates from Professional Diploma Programs. In his address, Kerkulah also presented three challenges to the graduating class. First, he urged graduates to never stop learning.
“Graduation is not the finish line. It is your license to continue growing. The most successful professionals are lifelong learners. Stay curious. Remain teachable. Keep improving.” Second, he called on graduates to lead with integrity. “The world already has enough talented people. What it desperately needs are trustworthy people. Your competence may open doors. But your character will determine how long those doors remain open. Protect your integrity. It is your greatest professional asset.”
Third, he encouraged graduates to become creators of opportunity. “Do not measure success solely by the jobs you secure. Measure it by the opportunities you create. Start businesses. Build organizations. Develop innovations. Mentor young people. Strengthen your communities. Help solve Liberia’s challenges. The future belongs to those who build—not merely those who consume.”
“Go into your workplaces and become the standard. Go into your communities and become the difference. Go into your professions and become the leaders. Remember that your certificate is not your destination. It is your responsibility. Carry it with humility. Use it with excellence. Honor it with integrity,” he said.
Kerkulah reiterated the Academy’s philosophy captured in three words: Equip. Empower. Elevate.
“We equip learners with practical knowledge and skills. We empower individuals to lead with confidence. We elevate communities, institutions, and nations through professional excellence. This is more than our framework. It is our promise,” he stated.
He expressed gratitude to training specialists for sharing their expertise, staff for their unwavering commitment, partners for believing in the Academy’s vision, and parents, families, and employers for supporting the graduates throughout their journey.
His words: “I envision a Liberia where competence is celebrated. Where integrity defines leadership. Where innovation drives economic growth. Where young professionals are prepared not only to compete nationally but to excel across Africa and the world. That future begins with people like you.”
Several stakeholders at the event, including
Hon. Alphanso Paye Korto, Sr., Deputy Director General for Administration, AITB, and Ms. Kylubo Eunice Korkorlor – Human Resource Manager – CEMENCO assured their commitment to providing internship opportunities for selected graduates.
About Gonet Academy
Gonet Academy is a professional development institution founded five years ago on the belief that Liberia possesses extraordinary talent that must be equipped, developed, and prepared for leadership. The Academy’s mission is to transform people, institutions, and the nation through practical training, ethical empowerment, and professional excellence.
