Gonet Africa Academy: A Movement for National Renewal and Continental Transformation

In an electrifying keynote address at the Gonet Academy Cohort 11 Graduation Ceremony, held at the Harvest Intercontinental Cathedral in Monrovia, the Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) of Liberia, Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr., delivered a bold and visionary message that left no doubt—Gonet Academy is not just an institution. It is a movement.

Standing before an audience of over 750 graduates, distinguished guests, and development stakeholders, Dr. Joekai hailed the graduation as a national milestone and a symbol of hope, discipline, and transformation.

“This is more than a graduation ceremony,” he declared. “It’s a declaration that Liberia is investing in her own sons and daughters to lead the nation’s renewal.”

He revealed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has instructed the CSA and Ministry of Labor to jointly craft a comprehensive national job creation strategy—one that promotes private sector employment, enforces labor laws favoring Liberians, and shifts national focus from public sector dependency to private sector empowerment.

More Than Certificates-A Movement of Transformation

Dr. Joekai’s message centered on Gonet Academy’s powerful role in national development, praising its practical and high-impact programs in Project Management, Procurement, Entrepreneurship, Financial Leadership, HR Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, and more.

“Gonet Academy is doing more than issuing certificates,” he said. “It is building capacity, restoring dignity, and unlocking new possibilities for Liberia’s next generation.”

He specifically commended the launch of the Gonet Virtual Learning Environment, a digital platform expanding access to learning beyond the physical classroom and connecting Liberians at home and abroad.

A Proposal to Partner for Liberia’s Workforce

Dr. Joekai proposed a strategic partnership between CSA and Gonet Academy to create a direct pipeline between graduates and employment opportunities across government, concessionaires, and the private sector.

“Let’s work together to ensure these graduates don’t just search for jobs, but get connected to opportunities where they can lead, build, and grow,” he said.

From Gonet Academy to GonetAfrica Academy

In a moment of profound endorsement, Dr. Joekai called for the institution to be rebranded as “GonetAfrica Academy”, recognizing that its vision and work are not limited to Liberia—but extend across Africa.

“This is a movement that can transform Africa,” he stated. “Gonet is cultivating leaders with the mindset, skills, and heart to shape the continent’s future.”

GonetAfrica, the parent brand, focuses on leadership development, empowerment, and education to drive sustainable change across Africa.

A Challenge to the Graduates

To the graduates, Dr. Joekai delivered a stirring call to action:

“Don’t stop here. Don’t just seek jobs—create them. You’ve been trained in entrepreneurship, business, logistics, communication, and project design. You have the tools to launch consultancies, start businesses, train others, and build wealth for yourselves and your communities.”

He reminded them that Liberia’s future lies in job creators, innovators, and doers—not only in job seekers.

This Is Liberia Rising

The ceremony was more than a celebration—it was a reaffirmation of Liberia’s potential and the vital role Gonet plays in cultivating that promise. As the 11th cohort walked across the stage with their certificates and diplomas, the spirit of Gonet’s motto was clear: We grow greatness by the way we work, learn, and lead.

Gonet Academy has proven itself to be a beacon of excellence and empowerment, and with its expanding reach through GonetAfrica, it is poised to become a continental force for transformation.