Gonet Academy has graduated 863 professionals from its 14th cohort, with Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, urging graduates to pursue excellence as they prepare for the next stage of their careers.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Horace-Kollie described education as a powerful tool for personal growth and national development. She encouraged the graduates to view their certificates not as the finish line, but as the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning and service.
“Graduation is not the destination; it is the commencement of a lifelong journey,” she said. “Education unlocks dormant potential, dismantles barriers, reduces inequality, inspires innovation, and creates opportunities where none once existed.”
The minister urged the graduates to reject mediocrity and remain committed to high standards in their personal and professional lives.
“Excellence is not an event; it is a habit. It is the consistent commitment to doing ordinary things extraordinarily well,” she said. “Let excellence become your personal signature.”
She reminded them that while academic qualifications may open doors, integrity, discipline and hard work are what sustain success.
Gonet Academy Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Kerkula said the institution was established to prepare Liberians for a changing world shaped by artificial intelligence, digital technology and global competition.
“The question is no longer whether change is coming, because change has already come,” Kerkula said. “The question is whether we are prepared for the changes of today and tomorrow. Gonet Academy exists to ensure Liberians are not spectators in the future economy but active contributors.”
Kerkula said the academy enrolled 1,112 participants in Cohort 14, making it the second-largest class in the institution’s history. Participants came from all 15 counties, with many attending classes online, reflecting growing demand for professional training across the country.
He also noted that women made up 59.4 percent of the class and recorded one of the highest completion rates.
“These numbers tell a story of resilience, determination and women refusing to be left behind,” he said. “To every woman graduating today, you are redefining leadership in Liberia.”
According to Kerkula, participants also recorded significant academic improvement, with average assessment scores rising from 45 percent at the start of the program to 93.1 percent upon completion.
“These are not just statistics,” he said. “They represent confidence gained, competencies developed, careers strengthened and lives transformed.”
This year’s graduating class included 723 recipients of the Foundational Certificate, 126 graduates of the Comprehensive Professional Program and 14 graduates of the Professional Diploma Program.
Kerkula said the academy remains committed to equipping Liberians with practical skills and professional knowledge needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive global workforce.
