Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie is Gonet Academy Cohort 14 Graduation’s Guest Speaker

—The Minister’s Selection Underscores Gonet Academy’s Commitment to Women’s Leadership, Inclusion, and Human Capital Development as female graduates dominate latest cohort

In a move that reinforces its longstanding commitment to gender equality, leadership development, and women’s empowerment, Gonet Academy has named the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, as Guest Speaker for its Cohort 14 Graduation Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Harvest Intercontinental Cathedral in Congo Town, Monrovia.

The ceremony is expected to bring together more than 850 graduates who successfully completed the Academy’s Continuous Professional Development Certificate, Diploma, and Comprehensive Programs in a wide range of professional and technical disciplines. These programs include Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Human Resource Management, Office Administration and Management, Procurement and Contract Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management, Banking and Finance, Financial Management, Digital Productivity and Data Analysis, Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Public Relations and Media Strategy, Strategic Planning and Performance Management, Research and Report Writing, Customer Service and Relationship Management, Leadership Development, and many others.

Significantly, women account for over 58% of the graduating cohort, continuing a trend that has made female participation one of Gonet Academy’s defining characteristics over the years.

Against that backdrop, Gonet Academy management sees Minister Horace-Kollie’s selection as both symbolic and strategic.

It reflects not only her role as Liberia’s chief policymaker on gender issues, but also her decades-long commitment to advancing women’s rights, protecting vulnerable populations, and promoting inclusive national development.

Before her appointment to President Joseph Nyumah Boakai’s Cabinet in 2024, Minister Horace-Kollie had already established herself as one of the country’s respected voices on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion.

Throughout her professional career, she has worked extensively with government institutions, civil society organizations, and international development partners on issues affecting women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

Her work has consistently focused on expanding opportunities for women, strengthening protection systems for survivors of gender-based violence, promoting girls’ education, advancing women’s participation in leadership, and improving social protection for disadvantaged communities.

Those advocacy efforts have positioned her among Liberia’s leading champions for gender-responsive governance.

Her appointment by President Boakai was widely viewed as placing an experienced development practitioner at the helm of one of the government’s most socially significant ministries.

Since assuming office in 2024, Minister Horace-Kollie has overseen several important national initiatives aimed at strengthening Liberia’s social protection architecture.

Under her leadership, the Ministry has continued implementing programs addressing gender-based violence, child protection, women’s economic empowerment, and support for vulnerable households.

She also chairs the country’s multi-sectoral engagement in several donor-supported livelihood initiatives, including the Recovery of Economic Activity for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE) Project, where the Ministry serves as a key implementing partner alongside other government institutions.

The project has supported tens of thousands of vulnerable Liberians through agricultural livelihoods, community development, and income-generating activities, particularly benefiting women and youth in rural communities.

Beyond program implementation, the Ministry has intensified advocacy for stronger institutional responses to sexual and gender-based violence while promoting greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making.

Development observers note that these efforts align closely with the Boakai Administration’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID), which identifies human capital development, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, and social inclusion among its national priorities.

Why Her Selection Matters

For the Academy, Minister Horace-Kollie’s selection carries significance beyond protocol.

The Academy has increasingly become one of Liberia’s leading professional development institutions, training thousands of public servants, entrepreneurs, journalists, development practitioners, and young professionals.

Perhaps more importantly, women have consistently formed the majority of Gonet Academy’s student population. In 2025 alone, the Academy trained 2,762 learners across three cohorts, with 55.65% being women.

That trend reflects growing demand among women for professional education, leadership training, and career advancement opportunities.

By inviting the country’s Gender Minister to address graduates, the Academy is sending a powerful message about the central role women must continue to play in Liberia’s national development.

Her presence also provides graduates—particularly young women—with an opportunity to hear directly from someone whose career has been built around breaking barriers, expanding opportunities, and advocating for equality.

Education specialists argue that representation matters.

Seeing women occupy senior leadership positions can inspire more young women to pursue careers in public service, business, governance, and community leadership.

For many of Gonet Academy’s female graduates, Minister Horace-Kollie’s story represents tangible evidence that professional excellence, public service, and gender advocacy can coexist.

The selection also reflects the growing stature of Gonet Academy itself.

Over the years, the institution has evolved from a professional training provider into one of Liberia’s leading centers for capacity development.

Its graduates now serve across government ministries, development agencies, media institutions, financial organizations, civil society groups, concession companies, and private businesses.

The Academy has distinguished itself by emphasizing practical learning, ethical leadership, accountability, and workplace readiness—qualities increasingly demanded in Liberia’s evolving labor market.

Its curriculum combines technical competence with leadership development, preparing participants not merely for employment but for public and private service and organizational leadership.

The institution has also maintained a strong emphasis on youth development, governance, public administration, and civic responsibility.

This year’s graduation represents another milestone in Gonet Academy’s broader mission of producing ethical, competent, and transformational leaders and professionals.

Graduates have completed intensive programs designed to strengthen professional competencies while promoting innovation, integrity, and service.

The Academy believes these qualities are essential to Liberia’s long-term development. Officials say the ceremony will celebrate not only learning achievement but also resilience, personal growth, and the pursuit of excellence.

As Guest Speaker, Minister Horace-Kollie is expected to challenge graduates to embrace leadership rooted in service, accountability, and social responsibility.

Her address is also expected to encourage greater participation of women in national leadership, reinforcing the message that education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming lives and communities.

With women comprising the majority of this year’s graduating class, her appearance is likely to resonate strongly with participants preparing to enter or advance within Liberia’s public and private sectors.

The choice of commencement speaker, for Gonet Academy, reflects its belief that professional education must be accompanied by values-based leadership, while for the graduates, it offers an opportunity to draw inspiration from a public servant whose career has been dedicated to expanding opportunities for others.

As more than 850 graduates prepare to receive their certificates and diplomas, the presence of the Gender Minister promises to add both prestige and purpose to a ceremony that celebrates not only learning achievement but also the transformative power of education, leadership, and inclusion in building a stronger Liberia.