Monrovia, Liberia – Nine members of the House of Representatives of the 55th National Legislature received certificates in Foreign Service and Diplomacy after completing a six-week refresher and orientation program at the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in an effort to improve professional expertise within government and strengthen Liberia’s diplomatic capacity.
Government representatives, legislators, diplomats, and visitors gathered for the graduation ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ C. Cecil Dennis Memorial Auditorium in Monrovia to honor the accomplishments of those who successfully completed the training.
The lawmakers who received certificates included:
- Hon. P. Mike Jurry, Representative, Maryland County District #1
- Hon. Foday E. Fahnbulleh, Representative, Bong County District #7
- Hon. Alfred H. Flomo, Representative, Grand Bassa County District #4
- Hon. Dorwohn T. Gleekia, Representative, Nimba County District #6
- Hon. Pricilia A. Cooper, Representative, Montserrado County District #5
- Hon. Rugie Y. Barry, Representative, Montserrado County District #1
- Hon. Ellen Attoh A. Wreh, Representative, Margibi County District #3
- Hon. Moima Briggs Mensah, Representative, Bong County District #6
- Hon. Ivar K. Jones, Representative, Margibi County District #2
There were 61 graduates overall, including four legislative staff members and 48 more participants. The keynote speaker, House Speaker Richard N. Koon, emphasized the increasing significance of parliamentary diplomacy in contemporary government. He pointed out that legislatures everywhere are becoming more and more important in bolstering democratic institutions, encouraging global collaboration, and supporting efforts to promote peace.
Speaker Koon reiterated the Legislature’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Foreign Service Institute through upcoming collaborations and professional development programs, characterizing the training as a substantial investment in institutional capacity-building. Advanced diplomatic studies, leadership seminars, policy debate programs, exchange efforts, and specialized training in international relations and negotiation are among the areas of cooperation, according to Speaker Koon.
Participants from the “Noble Class of 2026” and the “Executive Class of 2025,” which included Representative P. Mike Jurry, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget, received certificates. Key topics of international affairs, such as diplomacy, international relations, foreign policy formation, and the conduct of global affairs, were covered in the six-week refresher and orientation program. In order to enhance their comprehension of Liberia’s foreign policy goals and priorities, participants were exposed to strategic insights and practical expertise.
The Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute, which was founded in the 1950s by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is Liberia’s top hub for diplomatic education and research. The organization’s mission is to promote intellectual dialogue on regional integration, cultural diversity, international economic linkages, and conflict resolution.
FSI programs are specifically created to give Liberian Foreign Service officers, diplomats, politicians, and public workers an intellectual orientation while fostering a deeper comprehension of international diplomacy and the execution of foreign policy.
Officials at the ceremony emphasized that the training initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Liberia’s diplomatic engagement by equipping policymakers and public servants with the necessary skills to effectively represent the country on the global stage.
