Gbowee, Senate Class Children’s Access to Capitol

By Lincoln G. Peters

MONROVIA, July 10, 2026 — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee and the Liberian Senate differed Thursday over why children participating in the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa’s “Peace Through Fair Play Camp” were not allowed to address senators during a visit to the Capitol.

Gbowee said Senate officials refused to meet the children after she declined to address senators as “Honourable.” The Senate denied the claim, saying the foundation did not follow required communication procedures for the visit.

The dispute came one day after Gbowee wrote on Facebook that members of the public should stop referring to lawmakers as “honorable,” arguing that the title should be earned through public service and integrity.

On Thursday, children from Gbarpolu, River Gee, Sinoe and Montserrado counties visited the Capitol as part of the foundation’s annual educational tour, which Gbowee said is intended to introduce children from rural counties to Liberia’s democratic institutions.

Gbowee said the children had earlier visited the Supreme Court, where they met Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, before going to the Senate, where they were welcomed by Vice President Jeremiah Koung.

According to Gbowee, the children were expected to read a statement to senators but were not allowed into the Senate Chamber after she refused to use the title “Honourable.”

“The children were supposed to read a statement to the senators,” Gbowee said. “I also chose to stay out of their chambers but asked that the children, who came from as far as River Gee and Sinoe counties, be allowed to go in and greet them. It was an absolute no.”

Gbowee said the Senate’s decision denied the children an opportunity to interact with public officials they had traveled to meet.

She said the children’s program, now in its 10th edition, usually includes visits to the Supreme Court, the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Executive Mansion.

She also challenged the legal basis for requiring elected officials to be addressed as “Honourable,” saying she had asked lawyers whether the title is required by Liberia’s Constitution and was told it is not.

Augustine Saah, the Senate’s Director for Press and Public Affairs, rejected Gbowee’s account when contacted by this newspaper, describing the allegations as false and misleading.

Saah said Gbowee failed to notify Senate leadership of the planned visit through the Senate’s established communication procedures.

“No senator asked Gbowee to retract any previous statement or demanded that she address members of the Senate as ‘Honorable,’” Saah said.