Gender Ministry Targets Skills Gaps Through Training for 108 Employees

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is investing in the professional development of 108 employees through training and graduate education agreements with four academic institutions, in an effort to address internal skills gaps and improve public service delivery.

The initiative will provide professional training for 100 employees at GONET Academy and the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), while eight others will pursue graduate-level studies at the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) and the University of Liberia.

Under the agreements signed Wednesday, November 11, 85 employees will receive training at GONET Academy, while 15 will participate in capacity-building programs at LIPA. The remaining eight will pursue graduate studies, with three attending AMEU and five enrolled at the University of Liberia.

The training will cover beginner, diploma and advanced levels, targeting improvements in employees' technical knowledge, administrative abilities and professional competence.

According to the Ministry, the initiative follows a capacity needs assessment conducted after the current leadership took office. The assessment identified skills gaps across its departments and outlined areas where additional training was needed to improve institutional efficiency.

The agreements are the outcome of several months of consultations and coordination between the Ministry and the participating institutions.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, LIPA Deputy Director General for Administration, Atty. Michael Wah, praised the Ministry for prioritizing the professional development of its employees.

He said investing in civil servants' capacity is important to improving public-sector performance and ensuring more effective service delivery.

GONET Academy Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Kerkulah, described the agreement as a significant step toward expanding professional development opportunities for Ministry employees.

He said the training would equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to the Ministry's evolving institutional responsibilities.

The initiative places emphasis on strengthening the Ministry's human resources, with the expectation that improved staff capacity will translate into more efficient operations and better delivery of services to the public.