Africa-Press – Liberia. The Association of Liberia Human Resource Professionals (ALHRP) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LiPA) to launch the country’s first locally administered Human Resource (HR) certification program, in a move aimed at enhancing human capital development and professional standards in Liberia.
The signing ceremony, held at LiPA’s headquarters along the RIA Highway, marked a step toward making international HR certification more accessible and affordable for Liberian professionals.
“This is a landmark signing ceremony between the Association of Liberia Human Resource Professionals and LiPA to support the delivery of Human Resource Certification in Liberia,” said Jonah Soe Kotee, President of ALHRP.
“We come from a professional body of 300 members, HR professionals serving both private and public sectors, working to ensure HR practitioners in Liberia are internationally certified.”
Until now, aspiring HR professionals in Liberia had to travel to countries like Ghana, Nigeria, or the United States for certification, a process that was both expensive and often limited recognition for Liberia-based candidates.
The new MOU aims to eliminate that barrier by providing coaching, mentorship, and examination opportunities within Liberia.
“When HR professionals are qualified and satisfied, organizations become more productive, ministries become efficient, and processes are streamlined across both sectors,” Kotee emphasized.
“This MOU creates a competitive advantage for our members and supports national development.”
The initiative, sets to begin rolling out technical components within two weeks, includes in-country lectures, peer learning, and optional certification exams for members of the HR Association.
It is designed not only to certify professionals but also to promote capacity-building and ongoing professional development.
The initial agreement covers a three-year period, with the possibility for renewal.
Both institutions anticipate that this collaboration will fill gaps in the current certification process, which has seen challenges such as high failure rates and limited support for exam preparation.
“HR is not a backyard profession,” Kotee added. “Just like law or medicine, it drives the productivity and efficiency of organizations. People often see being assigned to HR as punishment, and that mindset must change.
This profession is central to development.”
The MOU is also expected to benefit LiPA through increased enrollments and greater engagement with HR professionals across the country.
It aligns with LiPA’s mission to strengthen public service delivery through professional training and institutional development.
Kotee called on all HR personnel across Liberia to join the Association, which he described as the umbrella organization for HR practitioners, and take advantage of this certification opportunity.
He said: “This initiative marks a new phase in HR, empowering professionals through global certification while supporting the mission of LiPA.”
With this partnership, Liberia is taking a bold step toward localizing professional development and building a more competent, globally recognized HR workforce.
For More News And Analysis About Liberia Follow Africa-Press
