Berkha Africa, a pan-African professional development and governance consortium, In the quest to enhance professional standards and leadership capacity in West Africa, has announced strategic partnerships with Smart Start SL in Sierra Leone and Gurus Human Resource Consultancy Group in Liberia.
The partnerships aim to deliver globally recognized Human Resources certification, Professional Coaching, and Leadership training programs, beginning with the rollout of the Professional in Human Resources International (PHRi) and Senior Professional in Human Resources International (SPHRi) certifications on August 2, 2025, and Level 1 Professional Coach Certification accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), in September 2025.
Delivered in collaboration with the Cambridge Centre of Excellence in Ghana and Zoweh Global Consult, the programs are designed to provide West African professionals with globally benchmarked Human Resource Management, and Professional Coaching Certifications, adapted to meet regional leadership and organizational needs.
The initiatives were formalized through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), committing the three organizations to a shared vision of advancing human capital development, institutional effectiveness, and leadership transformation across Sierra Leone and Liberia.
“This milestone is more than a training rollout; it represents a movement to professionalize HR practice and build a new generation of transformative professionals,” said Dr Senyo Kutse-Doe, Programmes & Business Development Lead at Berkha Africa.
“With trusted local partners like Smart Start and Gurus HR, we are able to bridge global excellence with local relevance, ensuring sustainable impact where it matters most,” he stressed.
In Sierra Leone, the collaboration with Smart Start SL, a leading human capital development firm based in Freetown, is expected to significantly boost national competitiveness. The training programme is geared towards supporting public institutions, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and emerging HR professionals, through targeted certification and coaching programmes designed to enhance the countries’ talent pipeline.
In Liberia, the partnership with Gurus Human Resource Consultancy Group focuses on strengthening leadership capacity and HR practice within both the public and private sectors. With Liberia’s ongoing efforts to rebuild national institutions and improve governance systems, the training offerings are expected to play a critical role in supporting sustainable development and public service delivery.
The initiative is part of Berkha Africa’s broader regional strategy to establish a Pan-African network of development partners committed to delivering high-impact solutions in Leadership, HR, Professional Coaching, and Governance.
Already active in Ghana, Berkha Africa is extending its reach into The Gambia, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Togo, Senegal, and South Africa, with programs tailored to support public sector effectiveness, empower youth, and strengthen institutions across the continent.
According to the Dr Senyo Kutse-Doe, the consortium’s vision is “an Africa where leadership excellence and human capital development are not exceptions but norms,”. He added that through strategic partnerships and localized solutions, Berkha Africa is advancing a development agenda driven by Africans for Africa’s transformation.
Headquartered in Accra, Berkha Africa is a trusted consortium of African professionals and institutions, delivering transformational services in leadership development, executive coaching, organizational transformation, ESG, and strengthening governance systems. The organization is recognized for its innovative Leadership Coaching, strategic training solutions, dynamic partnerships, and growing influence across both Anglophone and Francophone West Africa.
