Monrovia – The management of Gonet Academy, a leading institution in technical and vocational education in Liberia, has expressed shock and dismay over its inclusion on a list of institutions allegedly operating illegally, as released by the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE).

Despite being in good standing with the Ministry of Education and the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau (AITB), which oversee Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, Gonet Academy strongly denied the NCHE’s claims, maintaining that it operates within the bounds of the law.

“We operate legitimately and under hard-earned dedication from the Ministry of Education and authorization of AITB. We were shocked by the NCHE’s announcement, as no formal communication engagement or audit was ever conducted with our institution before making such a public claim,” the institution stated in a release.

The NCHE recently launched a crackdown on what it described as “substandard and illegal” tertiary institutions, announcing the closure of 31 and the suspension of 22 others for violating accreditation standards.

“This is very much unfair. We have been operating legitimately in this country and there is no way that we will want to do things out of the way. We are too responsible, knowledgeable, and vibrant to pretend not to do the right thing. We cannot hide from the government. Evidence can be seen in our tax payment records at the Liberia Revenue Authority,” the release added.

The NCHE’s Executive Director, Dr. Edward Lama Wonkeryor, said during a press briefing at the Ministry of Information that the closures followed a nationwide quality assurance audit and were necessary to safeguard the integrity of Liberia’s education sector.

“These schools are operating illegally and pose a serious threat to the credibility of our education system,” said Dr. Wonkeryor. “We are urging the public not to enroll in them.”

However, Gonet Academy pushed back, stating that it has been accredited and operating legally since 2022. The institution accused the NCHE of failing to exercise due diligence or provide prior communication before publishing its findings.

“How can the NCHE conduct a quality assurance audit without formally communicating to institutions to be audited? There is no evidence that the NCHE conducted a validation for the report before publishing it publicly. Our institution’s hard-earned credibility has been painted negatively and it’s extremely unfair.”

The statement continued: “We wish to clarify and inform the public that Gonet Academy is a legally registered and accredited institution under GonetAfrica Inc., operating under the authorization of both the Ministry of Education and the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau (AITB).”

GonetAfrica Inc., registered with the Liberia Business Registry, is the parent institution of Gonet Academy. The academy offers certificate and diploma programs in technical, vocational, and industry-relevant fields—categorized as pre-tertiary programs.

“We have a mission to equip Liberians with the practical skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to thrive in today’s rapidly changing workforce and contribute meaningfully to the country’s sustainable development,” the release noted.

According to Gonet Academy, it received accreditation from the Ministry of Education in June 2022. However, due to the 2023 General Elections and the Ministry’s transition into a new Service Delivery Charter under the current administration, the renewal process was paused. The academy stated it has since reached out to the Ministry for clarification and guidance.

Allegations of Bias and Double Standards

Gonet Academy further questioned what it termed as “double standards” on the part of the NCHE. According to the institution, its representatives had visited the NCHE last year to inquire about accreditation procedures for non-degree programs and were told that the Commission was still developing its Service Delivery Charter.

“Early last year, a few members of Gonet Academy visited the offices of the NCHE to understand the accreditation landscape and determine whether the Commission’s oversight extended to short-term certificate and diploma programs. During that informal meeting, we were informed that the NCHE was in the process of developing its Service Delivery Charter (SDC) and that engagements with other educational stakeholders were ongoing to establish a clear regulatory framework for professional and technical training institutions,” the statement noted.

“Recognizing the mandate of the NCHE for degree-granting institutions, we subsequently engaged the AITB, which, in September 2024, granted us official authorization to operate as a Technical Training Institution offering certificate and diploma programs.”

The academy emphasized that it does not offer associate, undergraduate, or graduate degrees. “Our focus is on non-degree professional and technical training,” the statement said. “Our professional development programs in areas such as Monitoring & Evaluation, Project Management, Finance, ICT, and Communication are designed to upskill Liberia’s workforce in support of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).”

Is Gonet Academy Outshining LIPA?

Some observers have suggested that Gonet Academy is being targeted due to its rising prominence, possibly threatening the status of the Liberia Institute for Public Administration (LIPA), the government-run body for capacity building.

“People are not happy about Gonet Academy’s growth and level of vibrancy in the last few years. They are not happy that Gonet Academy has become so attractive to Liberians and foreign residents while LIPA, the government entity enacted by law to provide these services, is not doing much these days,” a government source told this reporter. “They want to do all they can to bring that vibrant institution down with all sorts of trivial accusations. This is unfair.”

“The best the people at LIPA can do to become a better competitor to Gonet Academy is to invest and rebrand the entity instead of fighting young people who are doing so well,” the source added.

“NCHE categorization of Gonet Academy as illegal is unfounded. This appears to be driven more by politics than by facts,” David K. Singbee posted on his social media page. “These are reasons Liberians with greater opportunities abroad don’t want to come back home to impact the next generation because they will be haunted by political opportunists. With no reservations I strongly believe that the Gonet Academy’s management will be exonerated from this political fight.”

AITB Response and Licensing Process

The AITB confirmed that Gonet Academy had applied for a license last year but was advised to wait while the bureau developed its National TVET Standards. In the interim, the academy was issued a letter of authorization to operate.

“I extend compliments and write to officially inform you of the Government of Liberia’s ongoing national initiative to reform and standardize the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector,” read a letter from AITB shared by Gonet Academy. “As part of this process, the Bureau, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is currently leading the development and rollout of the National TVET Standards for compliance monitoring and enforcement.”

The AITB emphasized that once the standards are finalized, institutions will receive Competency Licenses and be subject to regular compliance evaluations.

“Since May 2024, upon appointments of the new AITB Management Team Members, a significant number of TVET administrators across Liberia have reached out to AITB to acquire the Competence License – a critical credential affirming institutional alignment with national TVET standards,” the bureau said in a recent statement. “The AITB assures stakeholders that the long-anticipated process will soon be operational following the completion of an ongoing compliance monitoring and gap analysis study.”

Hope for Resolution

Despite what it described as a “stab in the back,” Gonet Academy met with NCHE Executive Director Dr. Wonkeryor on June 25, 2025, in what was described as a “productive meeting.”

“The purpose of the meeting was to clarify our status, provide supporting documentation, and explore the pathway for formal accreditation under NCHE’s evolving framework,” the academy stated in a Facebook post following the meeting. “During the discussion, we reaffirmed our legal standing through the Ministry of Education and AITB, expressed our unwavering dedication to regulatory compliance and quality assurance, emphasized our role in empowering over 3,000 Liberian professionals across sectors in just four years, and acknowledged the broader confusion surrounding inter-agency coordination and Service Delivery Charters.”

Dr. Wonkeryor reportedly assured the academy that the Commission’s objective is not punitive but to foster collaboration and alignment among educational institutions. He welcomed the idea of a national dialogue to harmonize regulations for both degree-granting and professional institutions.

“We want to inform the public that following our meeting with the Executive Director of the NCHE, we submitted an official letter of request to continue operations under the AITB authorization and a letter of intent, which has been acknowledged to go through the accreditation process of the NCHE,” Gonet Academy said.

The institution reaffirmed its commitment to national development through accessible, practical, and accredited training programs aimed at empowering Liberia’s youth and workforce.

Monrovia – On August 31, at the Paynesville City Hall, Gonet Academy celebrated the remarkable achievements of its largest and most dynamic cohort yet—Cohort 9! This significant event saw 362 graduates, including 350 who earned professional certificates and 12 who received professional diplomas, marking a pivotal moment in their professional journeys.

The ceremony opened with a powerful statement from Jessica Fofana, Program Coordinator, who expressed the collective pride and anticipation felt by all in attendance. She highlighted the significance of the day, emphasizing that it marked the culmination of hard work, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence by the graduates.

Fofana also acknowledged the vital support systems—families, friends, mentors, faculty and staff—that played an integral role in the graduates’ success, setting the tone for a day of celebration and reflection.

In his inspiring address, Gonet Academy’s Founder & CEO, Mohammed Kerkulah, highlighted the diversity and inclusivity of this cohort, which achieved near-perfect gender balance with 50.6% female and 49.4% male graduates.

He praised the graduates for their resilience, adaptability, and ability to translate knowledge into action, urging them to embrace the opportunities ahead with the same determination that brought them to this milestone. He also expressed profound gratitude to the institutions that continue to entrust their staff’s learning and development to Gonet Academy.

 Furthermore, the Founder & CEO announced the development and completion of an alumni platform that will be used to profile all alumni online for professional visibility and to validate their achievements with Gonet Academy.

The event was graced by Mr. Gerald Hodges, a seasoned development management professional, who served as the Guest Speaker. In his powerful message, Mr. Hodges emphasized the importance of continuous learning in staying competitive and adaptable in today’s rapidly changing world.

He highlighted the critical role of 21st-century leadership, underscoring the need for ethical leadership, innovation, and the effective use of technology and entrepreneurship as key drivers of productivity and performance.

Mr. Hodges also spoke about the power of networking and resilience, encouraging graduates to build lasting professional relationships and maintain integrity as they navigate the challenges of their careers.

Adding to the ceremony’s significance, Mr. Wesley DM Nyenatoh Sr., Deputy Director General for Technical Services of the Agricultural and Industrial Training Bureau (AITB), expressed his excitement about Gonet Academy’s contributions to manpower development and training in Liberia. He highlighted AITB’s commitment to collaborating with Gonet Academy to enhance TVET programs and other training initiatives nationwide. Mr. Nyenatoh announced his intention to join the next cohort, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning for professionals in all sectors. He also took a moment to thank President H.E. Joseph N. Boakai for his strong support of education and human capacity development, expressing pride in being part of this transformative process.

The graduates of Cohort 9 shared heartfelt reflections on their journey at Gonet Academy, expressing deep appreciation for the comprehensive knowledge and practical skills they acquired. They spoke of the supportive network of peers and mentors, which played a crucial role in their success, and the academy’s conducive learning environment that combined hands-on training with real-world applications.

Graduates expressed, “Gonet Academy has given us more than just a certificate; it has given us the confidence and tools to excel in our careers. The friendships and connections we made here are invaluable, and the support from the faculty and staff has been incredible. We are already planning to return for more courses, and we would encourage anyone looking to advance their career to enroll here. We are even considering pursuing a diploma to deepen our expertise and continue our professional growth.”

The ceremony concluded with a powerful charge to the graduates delivered by Mr. Abraham Billy, Advisory Board Chair of GonetAfrica Academy and Director General of AITB. He urged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning, adapt to new technologies, and continuously upgrade their skills to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world. “Start anew with wisdom, bonds, and ambitions. You are the leaders we trust to succeed. Congratulations, graduates! Welcome to the GonetAfrica Academy Alumni Network!”

The stories shared and the lessons learned during this graduation are a testament to Gonet Academy’s commitment to excellence in professional development, and they set a high standard for the cohorts to come.

Elevate Your Career with Gonet Academy!

Gonet is dedicated to empowering professionals through comprehensive continuous professional development and hands-on training. Whether you’re looking to upskill or pivot in your career, we offer a diverse range of courses designed to enhance your expertise and drive your success.

Courses include Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Strategic Leadership and Management, Introduction to QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Productivity, Web Development Using WordPress, Digital Marketing Essentials, Banking and Finance, Procurement and Contract Management, Human Resources Management, Public Relations and Media, Advanced Microsoft Excel, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Financial Management, Effective Communication and Public Speaking.

Other courses include Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Project Proposal Writing, Hospitality Management, Data Analysis Using SPSS, Psychosocial Counseling, Public Sector Management, Internal Audit and Control, Occupational Health and Safety Management, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Compliance Management, among others.

Ready to take the next step in your professional journey? Contact us via WhatsApp at 0880806657 or visit our campus at S.D. Cooper Road, after the S.D. Cooper Road Junction. Join us at Gonet Academy, where learning drives growth and success.