Monrovia, Liberia – A recent public exchange involving schoolchildren and members of Liberia’s Senate has ignited a broader national conversation about leadership, respect, and what it truly means to serve.
The incident, which occurred during what was intended to be an educational visit, reportedly centered on how lawmakers should be addressed—specifically the use of the title “Honorable.” While seemingly minor, the moment has since drawn public attention and prompted reflection far beyond the walls where it happened.
According to media and governance advocate Priscilla J. Mah-Belloh, the issue goes deeper than protocol. “This is not just about titles,” she noted. “It is about how leadership is expressed and how respect is shared between those in authority and the people they serve.”
Mah-Belloh, a former Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and Founder of A New Day Media Development & Advocacy Organization, emphasized that while official titles carry institutional weight, they should not overshadow the human element of leadership.
“Respect is important in any society, especially in a democracy,” she said. “But it should not feel forced. It should come from how leaders engage, how they listen, and how they treat others including children.”
Mah-Belloh stressed that such moments can have lasting effects. “These are young minds forming their understanding of leadership and public service,” she explained. “What they see and experience will shape how they view authority in the future.”
She further noted that the situation presents an opportunity for reflection rather than division. “This is a moment to reinforce the values we want our society to uphold mutual respect, accountability, and dignity for all,” she said.
For many, the takeaway is clear: titles alone do not define respect, but rather actions do.