Official Statement: Gonet Academy Responds to NCHE Report, Reaffirms Legal Status and Commitment to Regulatory Compliance

Gonet Academy Clarifies Accreditation Status and Reaffirms Commitment to Regulatory Compliance

Paynesville, Liberia – June 24, 2025 – Gonet Academy has taken note of a recent publication by the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE), listing our institution among those “operating illegally without the knowledge of the NCHE in Liberia”. 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)—the regulatory authority for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs in Liberia.

Gonet Africa, Inc., legally registered with the Liberia Business Registry (LBR), serves as the parent institution of Gonet Academy a premier professional development hub providing certificate and diploma programs in technical, vocational, and industry-relevant fields. Our mission is 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.

Gonet Academy received formal accreditation from the Ministry of Education in June 2022; however, the Ministry later paused the issuance of new accreditations due to the 2023 General Elections and the development of its Service Delivery Charter (SDC) under the new administration, which is why the accreditation was not renewed. Nevertheless, efforts have been made, and Gonet Academy has officially written the Ministry of Education recently to seek guidance and clarity on the matter.

Earlier in 2024, a few members of Gonet Academy visited the offices of the NCHE, uninvited, to better 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.

Recognizing the distinct 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.

It is important to emphasize that Gonet Academy does not offer associate, undergraduate, or graduate degrees. Our focus is on non-degree professional and technical training. 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).

Gonet Academy will formally engage the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) through an official written communication, requesting a consultative meeting to gain clarity on the accreditation framework, particularly as it relates to certificate and diploma programs. The Academy expresses its willingness and commitment to undergo the full accreditation process, in alignment with any forthcoming regulatory framework or revised Service Delivery Charter (SDC). This step is aimed at ensuring Gonet Academy’s continued compliance, legitimacy, contribution, transparency, and collaboration with all government institutions and the national education ecosystem.

We thank our students, partners, and the broader public for their trust as we continue working toward a more empowered and skilled Liberia.

Signed:

Mohammed Kerkulah

Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO)

GonetAfrica, Inc. | Gonet Academy