-As Gonet Academy Celebrates Five Years of Impact
By Jerromie S. Walters
CONGO TOWN, Liberia – Women formed the majority at Gonet Academy’s 13th graduation on Saturday, February 7, 2026, with 513 women (56.19%) among the 913 graduates. The ceremony, which doubled as a celebration of the academy’s fifth anniversary in Liberia, was held at the Harvest Intercontinental Cathedral Church in Congo Town.
The institution’s Founder and CEO, Mr. Mohammed Kerkulah, framed the class composition—513 women to 400 men—as a direct result of Gonet Africa’s commitment to equity and to empowering women as leaders. Liberia’s Education Minister, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, joined in praising the significant female representation during the event.
In her keynote address, Dr. Jallah charged the graduates, particularly the women, to view the ceremony as the beginning of a journey toward greater achievement and societal impact. “It doesn’t stop here. It begins here,” she urged. She called on them to become agents of institutional reform and national renewal, reaffirming the Ministry of Education’s partnership with the academy.
Dr. Jallah emphasized that overcoming Liberia’s development challenges requires leaders who can manage systems, make sound decisions, and apply knowledge effectively. “These challenges are not addressed by formal schooling alone,” she noted. “They require continuous learning, discipline, and leadership development. Institutions like Gonet Academy are filling that gap.”
The Minister, on the government’s behalf, endorsed Gonet’s operations. Dr. Jallah highlighted that a single cohort of over 900 professionals signals the academy’s scale and alignment with national human capital goals. She also stressed the imperative of integrity. “Knowledge without integrity is dangerous,” she advised the new graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Presenting on Gonet Africa’s Five Years of Impact Report Mr. Mohammed Kerkulah – CEO (Gonet Academy, detailing the institution’s journey from a modest startup to a national force in professional and leadership development. He reflected on the organization’s origins in the uncertain early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He described a founding vision focused on bridging the gap between Liberia’s talented youth and tangible opportunity, a mission launched with little more than a single laptop and a determined dream.
Today, Kerkulah reported, GonetAfrica and its subsidiaries—Gonet Academy and the Africa Youth Leadership Academy (AYLA)—stand as a fully accredited and nationally recognized center of excellence. The institution has achieved compliance with key national bodies including the Liberia Business Registry, the Ministry of Education, and the National Commission on Higher Education, solidifying its legitimate place in Liberia’s educational landscape.
A major driver of this growth, Kerkulah explained, has been a commitment to digital transformation. The academy has built robust online enrollment and payment systems, established a virtual learning environment, and provided learners with free Wi-Fi and computer lab access, all to enhance access and ensure quality in training delivery.
The CEO emphasized that the heart of the five-year impact lies in the thousands of Liberians empowered. Gonet has trained over 5,000 youth and professionals in critical, market-relevant skills, with more than 4,000 graduates hailing from all 15 counties—a majority of whom are women. These individuals, spanning high school graduates to seasoned professionals and civil servants, have completed programs in fields ranging from project management and procurement to digital literacy and leadership.
Looking to Liberia’s future, Kerkulah stressed that national progress hinges on competent, ethical problem-solvers. He framed Gonet’s work as building a vital ecosystem where GonetAfrica drives empowerment, Gonet Academy builds professional mastery, and AYLA cultivates values-based leadership, creating a complete pipeline from learning to leadership.
As the organization enters its next five-year chapter, Kerkulah outlined ambitious priorities focused on deepening quality, expanding access to underserved communities, and forging stronger links with industry and government to ensure training aligns with the nation’s development agenda. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to cultivate a generation of professionals who are both globally competitive and rooted in service to Africa.
Moreover, Kerkulah declared that the future is now responding to their readiness. He urged them to carry their skills forward with courage and humility, to use their knowledge not merely for personal success but to transform systems and uplift their communities.
Kerkulah also expressed profound gratitude to the entire Gonet family and its partners. “Five years ago, this was a dream,” he said. “Today, it is an institution. And in the years ahead, it will be a legacy.”
Gonet Academy is the premier professional development arm of GonetAfrica, founded to bridge the gap between theory and practice. We equip high school graduates, university students, and early- to mid-career professionals from diverse fields with future-ready skills and practical competence for immediate impact. It’s comprehensive certificate, diploma, and professional programs blend essential technical expertise with critical life and leadership skills, focusing on discipline, critical thinking, and ethical practice.
Guided by the core philosophy of “Equip for Excellence. Empower for Impact,” its mission is to cultivate confident, competent, and purpose-driven professionals. Through a proven methodology of structured learning, experienced facilitators, hands-on application, and personalized mentorship, the Academy serves as a trusted platform for transformative growth. We are committed to developing talent that delivers meaningful contributions to organizations, communities, and national development in Liberia and beyond.
