At the 71st graduation ceremony of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute (FSI), President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. delivered a stirring charge to Liberia’s newest diplomats, declaring them “the modern face of Liberia” and urging them to become agents of transformation on the global stage. The program which was held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, drew a distinguished audience of national leaders and international dignitaries, including Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, members of the Cabinet, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, and senior officials from across government and civil society.
This year’s event marked a historic milestone for the Institute, celebrating its largest graduating class in 74 years 120 aspiring diplomats drawn from three rigorous programs: the 10-month Regular Academic Program, the six-week Refresher and Orientation Program for public officials and presidential appointees, and the newly formalized Madam Suakoko Graduate Program for Female Diplomats. President Boakai praised the Institute’s transformation into a “crucible of excellence,” likening its impact to the Metternich tradition of diplomacy, where intellect and negotiation shaped the course of nations.
He commended the Leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Director General of the FSI for modernizing the curriculum and expanding global partnerships with institutions such as UNITAR in Geneva, the Foreign Service Academy in Sierra Leone, and diplomatic training centers in Cameroon and Egypt. “You have established the FSI as a center of excellence, and for that, our nation is thankful,” Boakai said. He emphasized that Liberia’s future on the world stage depends on a new generation of professionals fluent in the language of global governance.
As Liberia prepares to assume a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, the President urged all civil servants and professionals to take full advantage of the Institute’s offerings. Addressing the graduates, President Boakai described their training as more than a credential it is a foundation for leadership across diplomacy, international organizations, and the private sector. “Your expertise is a national asset,” he declared. “From this day forward, you carry the mantle of a Liberian diplomat, empowered to represent our nation's interests and values with integrity, wisdom, and distinction.”
He encouraged them to become economic diplomats promoting investment, supporting Liberian industries, and creating opportunities for youth through partnerships in agriculture, mining, tourism, and technology. He also called on them to safeguard Liberia’s hard-won peace and champion regional integration through MRU, ECOWAS, and the African Union. Stressing the importance of ethical leadership, Boakai reminded the graduates that diplomacy is built on trust. “Be known for your competence, your diligence, and your ethical standards,” he said, urging them to be champions of the ARREST Agenda Liberia’s national development blueprint focused on Accountability, Rule of law, Reconciliation, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism. Quoting Liberian intellectual Edward Wilmot Blyden, Boakai concluded, “A nation’s greatness lies not in its size or independence, but in the character of its people.
You now bear the responsibility of shaping Liberia’s character in the eyes of the world.” However, the Director General of the Foreign Service Institute, reflected on the journey since his Senate confirmation nearly 18 months ago. He underscored the Institute’s uncompromising standards, revealing that four students were expelled and four instructors’ contracts were withdrawn during the academic year. He also used the occasion to officially unveil the Madam Suakoko Program for aspiring female diplomats, named after the legendary Bong County warrior who resisted expansionist forces and defended her people with courage and wisdom.
“This program honors her legacy by cultivating a new generation of female leaders who embody resilience, intellect, and national pride,” he said. The Director General explained that the Institute’s programs are divided into three phases: the six-week Refresher Program for seasoned diplomats and presidential appointees; the 10-month Regular Program requiring 42 credit hours; and the rigorous Madam Suakoko Program, requiring a minimum of 38 credit hours and held to even higher standards.
He thanked President Boakai for insisting that all appointed ambassadors and diplomats undergo training at the Institute before deployment, and urged graduates to be astute in the nuance and emotional intelligence of transformational leadership. President Boakai closed with a powerful blessing and final charge: “Be bold in your ideas, but wise in your counsel. Be firm in your principles, but flexible in your methods.” With this charge, Liberia’s newest Diplomats’ step onto the world stage armed with purpose, prepared for complexity, and committed to national renewal.
