A day after her Facebook post criticizing members of the Liberian legislature for always calling themselves “Honourables” when introducing themselves, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee has accused the senate of refusing to welcome schoolchildren from rural counties because she declined to address them as “Honourable.”
In another Facebook post shared on her Gbowee Peace Foundation page and her official account, Madam Gbowee said senators blocked children participating in the 10th edition of her Peace Through Fair Play Pact from entering the Senate chambers to read a statement unless she herself entered and addressed them as “Honorable Senators.”
“I refused to do it,” she said, with the children and staff in the background on the grounds of the House of the Senate building in Monrovia.
According to her, the annual initiative takes children from counties such as Bomi, Sinoe, and River Gee — with a few from Montserrado — to visit the Supreme Court, Senate, House of Representatives, and Executive Mansion, giving them the opportunity to meet national leaders.
“This morning we had an amazing time at the Supreme Court. We then came to the Senate and were welcomed by Botoe Kanneh, Gbarpolu County senator. The children were supposed to read a statement to the senators. Well, the quote-unquote who are looking for honorable titles really showed themselves because they could not see these children unless I, Leymah Roberta Gbowee, go in that room and call them “Honourable Senators,” she explained.
Madam Gbowee, a recognized philanthropist whose foundation offers local and international scholarships, said she chose to remain outside the chambers but requested that the children, who had traveled long distances, be allowed to meet the senators.
“It was an absolute no,” she added.
She condemned the decision as a failure of leadership:
“Think about this: the next generation of Liberian children, whom you are supposed to inspire to become the best they can be, were denied that opportunity because one person decided that public officials who do not conduct themselves properly should not be called ‘Honourable.’”
Gbowee further revealed that she consulted lawyers to determine whether the Liberian Constitution mandates the use of “Honourable” for elected officials. “The answer was an absolute no,” she said, challenging anyone to prove otherwise. “If anyone can show me where in the Constitution or laws of Liberia it is written that senators and representatives should be called ‘Honourable,’ I will write a cheque for US$10,000 to their constituents to use for training or disciplinary action.”
“It is pathetic, really, really pathetic, that people will put their egos above the well-being of Liberian children. I’ve said my piece, and I wait to be summoned,” she concluded.
The Public Affairs Department of the Liberian Senate denied Madam Gbowee’s accusation, terming it false and misleading.
In a release shared on the Liberian Senate Facebook page, at no time did Madam Gbowee ever interact with the leadership of the Senate concerning a request for the children’s visitation.
According to the release, the office of the ProTemp during the afternoon hours of Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 1:25 pm received a communication from Mr. David S. Konneh for the Senate to host and have lunch with mentees of Madam Gbowee.
The Press and Public Affairs Department stated that Senators were in a consultative meeting preparing for the session when Madam Gbowee and the kids arrived at the Senate and that due to the huge agenda items, Madam Gbowee was impatient to wait and began to speak to the media about an alleged denial and her unwillingness to refer to Senators as honorable.
The release added that the President Pro-tempore, being a mother and a mentor to many children, will never deny any child the opportunity to see where their senators gather to debate issues of national concern. However, the statement described Madam Gbowee’s refusal to call the senators honorable as being disrespectful to national leaders.
The tussle between Madam Gbowee and the Senate comes as the Senate recently summoned Samuel Nagbe, Executive Director of the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), over a Facebook post alleging Senate interference in the government’s investigation of the US$19 million cocaine case.
Although Nagbe apologized, the Senate Plenary cited him under Article 44 of the 1986 Constitution to show cause “why he should not be held in contempt.” The Senate argued his comments were derogatory, lacked substance, and risked undermining its oversight role.
Nagbe is expected to reappear before the Senate with legal counsel on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to respond to allegations of bringing the Senate into public disrepute. The Senate emphasized that its hearings into the US$19 million drug case aim to ensure accountability and bring all individuals and entities involved under the full weight of the law.
