28/08/2026
𝑭𝑨𝑹𝑬𝑾𝑬𝑳𝑳 𝑹𝑬𝑴𝑨𝑹𝑲𝑺 𝑰𝑵 𝑯𝑶𝑵𝑶𝑹 𝑶𝑭 𝑴𝑹. 𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑷𝑯𝑬𝑵 𝑯. 𝑲𝑰𝑺𝑺𝑰𝑲, 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑰𝑶𝑹 𝑷𝑶𝑳𝑰𝑪𝑬 𝑨𝑫𝑽𝑰𝑺𝑶𝑹, 𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑵𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑵𝑨𝑹𝑪𝑶𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑺 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑳𝑨𝑾 𝑬𝑵𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑪𝑬𝑴𝑬𝑵𝑻 𝑨𝑭𝑭𝑨𝑰𝑹𝑺, 𝑼.𝑺. 𝑬𝑴𝑩𝑨𝑺𝑺𝒀 𝑴𝑶𝑵𝑹𝑶𝑽𝑰𝑨, 𝑫𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑬𝑫 𝑩𝒀 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑶𝑭 𝑱𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑬 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑨𝑻𝑻𝑶𝑹𝑵𝑬𝒀 𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑳 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑰𝑹𝑴𝑨𝑵 𝑶𝑭 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑱𝑶𝑰𝑵𝑻 𝑺𝑬𝑪𝑼𝑹𝑰𝑻𝒀
The Charge d’ Affairs of the US Embassy near Monrovia, Distinguished guests, members of the Joint Security, colleagues from the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the United States Embassy, partners in the justice and security sectors, ladies and gentlemen:
Today, we gather with mixed emotions to bid farewell to a trusted partner, a dedicated professional, and a true friend of Liberia—Mr. Stephen H. Kissik.Farewells are never easy, especially when they involve someone whose presence has made such a meaningful difference.
Yet, while we may be saying goodbye to your daily presence among us, we are not saying goodbye to the values, institutions, relationships, and people you have inspired during your service in Liberia.Mr. Kissik, throughout your assignment as Senior Police Advisor with International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs at the United States Embassy in Monrovia, you served not merely as an advisor, but as a bridge between institutions, and people.
Your work reflected the finest qualities of international partnership: respect, patience, professionalism, integrity, and a sincere commitment to the progress of Liberia.Your contributions to the Government of Liberia—and particularly to the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Justice—will be remembered with profound gratitude. You understood that a correctional system is not defined only by its walls, its gates, or its security arrangements.
It is defined by how it treats human beings, how it protects dignity, how it encourages rehabilitation, and how it prepares individuals to return to society as responsible citizens.Through your support and guidance, you helped advance a vision of corrections rooted in professionalism, accountability, humane treatment, and public safety. Your recommendations for international mid-level and senior management training contributed to the professionalization of Liberia’s prison service and strengthened the capacity of those entrusted with this important responsibility.You also supported the establishment of the National Prison Database through the American Bar Association.
This was more than a technological or administrative intervention. It was an investment in reliable information, sound decision-making, institutional accountability, and the effective administration of justice. Strong institutions are built on accurate knowledge, and your efforts helped lay an important foundation for better prison management and improved justice-sector coordination.Your contributions extended beyond training and systems.
Your recommendations for funding the connection of the Robertsport, Sanniquellie, and Voinjama Central Prisons to the national water grid have directly improved the care, welfare, and dignity of incarcerated persons. Access to clean and reliable water is a basic human necessity, and your advocacy helped transform that necessity into a practical reality for vulnerable prison populations.
These achievements demonstrate a central truth: meaningful leadership is not always measured by the visibility of one’s position, but by the lasting impact of one’s service. You worked behind the scenes, across our law enforcement institutions, and often through difficult circumstances. But the results of your service can be seen in stronger institutional capacity, improved prison welfare, enhanced security, better protection of human rights, and a strengthened commitment to the rule of law.
As Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and as Chairman of the Joint Security, I wish to acknowledge that your work contributed not only to the Ministry of Justice, but also to Liberia’s broader national security and justice architecture. By supporting safer correctional institutions and more professional personnel, you helped advance the safety of Liberian society as a whole.Mr. Kissik, your legacy will not be confined to reports, meetings, training programs, or completed projects. Your true legacy will live in the officers and managers you mentored; in the systems you helped strengthen; in the prisoners whose welfare was improved; in the institutions that are now better equipped to serve the public; and in the partnerships that will continue long after your departure.
You reminded us that international cooperation is most powerful when it is grounded in mutual respect and a shared belief in human dignity. You showed us that security and human rights are not opposing principles. Rather, they are mutually reinforcing pillars of a just and peaceful society.On behalf of the Government of Liberia, the Ministry of Justice, the Joint Security, and the people of Liberia, I extend our deepest appreciation for your distinguished service and invaluable contributions.
The Certificate of Recognition presented to you is a formal expression of our gratitude. But no certificate can fully capture the measure of your dedication, the breadth of your support, or the respect you have earned. Our greatest recognition is found in the enduring improvements your service has helped bring about.
As you depart Liberia, may you carry with you the assurance that your efforts mattered. May you remember that you were not simply posted here—you were welcomed, trusted, and embraced as a partner in our national journey. You came to serve, but you leave behind friendships, respect, and a legacy of positive change.We wish you success, fulfillment, and continued distinction in all your future endeavors.
May the road ahead bring you new opportunities to serve, lead, and inspire. And wherever your next assignment may take you, may you remain assured that Liberia will remember Mr. Stephen H. Kissik as a committed friend, a dependable partner, and a champion of justice, security, human rights, and institutional development.Mr. Kissik, as you take your leave, please remember:Your assignment may be ending, but your impact continues.
Your journey may be taking you elsewhere, but your legacy remains with us. And though we say farewell, the bonds of friendship and partnership endure.
Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for believing in Liberia.
May God bless you and your family, and may God continue to bless the Republic of Liberia and the United States of America.Farewell, Mr. Kissik—and may your future be as meaningful and distinguished as the service you have rendered to Liberia.
Ministry of Justice - Liberia
Press Union of Liberia
U.S. Embassy Monrovia, Liberia
Liberia National Police - LNP
United Nations Human Rights
Executive Mansion-Liberia
Ministry of Information
Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission LACC
Independent National Commission on Human Rights - INCHR
Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia
