Leymah Gbowee does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize
By Rosemarie B. James 
Let me state at the very onset that I am not a member of the President’s Government. I never have been and I do not believe that I ever will join the Government. My stance, therefore, is an independent one, from an objective bystander who believes that we deserve analysis of issues before drawing conclusions out of ignorance or vindictiveness.
Hence, this article is in direct response to those who are apparently imputing corruption to the President and talking about impeaching the President.
With respect to the resignation of Ms. Gbowee, let me say that Ms. Gbowee has the right to resign but I disagree with the reasons given by her for resigning. Liberians have the tendency of blaming others for their inefficiency and non-performance. Who is Ms. Gbowee to condemn the President’s government? What has Ms. Gbowee done for Liberia and especially the Liberian women? Does she deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?
Of course not, Ms. Gbowee never fought for any peace in Liberia and in fact was and has never fought for women rights and this is why she could not perform the task given to her by the President.
Since Ms. Gbowee was appointed to head of the Peace and Reconciliation Commission, what has she done to bring about reconciliation in Liberia? I challenge Ms. Gbowee to come and present a report to the Liberian people on her work as head of the Commission.
All Ms. Gbowee has done since receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and as head of the Commission is to travel the world over raising money for herself under the disguise of peace and reconciliation. In fact, when Ms. Gbowee was announced as one of the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, she was not living in Liberia.
She has not and does not live in Liberia; she lives in Ghana and had moved since the closure of an organization she alleged was for peace and security. She is only in Liberia because the peace prize was given to her as a Liberian.
Moreover, for Ms. Gbowee to allege that she was one of those that started the peace process is absurd. Where was Ms. Gbowee at the inception of the Civil Conflict when the women of Liberia were out there risking their lives for peace?
Did she come to Liberia to help? Was Ms. Gbowee at the first peace conference at the OAU Center in Virginia? Ms. Gbowee only came to Liberia in 2003 and by that time peace had already begun to come to Liberia through the work and efforts of the women of Liberia.
If Ms. Gbowee wants to be truthful to herself and the Liberian people, let her come out and say when she joined the women of Liberia in bringing peace to Liberia instead of blaming the President for corrupt people in her government who are the same people who said when they get into government, they will change business as usual. All the people who want change in government when they get into government will not change anything because they want to continue business as usual which is being corrupt.
We all know how Ms. Gbowee got the peace prize but have been silent because there is no need to put out dirt out in the street for others to see. We will all be judged by our deeds and if people have done what they claim to have done, we all will see it. People are generally remembered for two things: the problems they create or the ones they solve. The question is, what will Verdier, Gray, Gbowee and other critics of the President be remembered for? I pause for an answer.
We the women were very happy and delighted that two women from Liberia won the Nobel Peace Prize but people must not use their new found glory to castigate others when they are no better. For Ms. Gbowee to allege that the President’s government is corrupt at this time when since Ms. Gbowee won the peace prize, she has not offered any advice to the President or the Liberian people on how to move the country forward and even as head of the Reconciliation Commission, she has not done anything to bring about reconciliation among the Liberian people.
Let me say this to Ms. Gbowee that even some of Jesus’ followers were corrupt and because he could do nothing about it, was why he was crucified. The President trusted the people she appointed to help move her government forward, is she responsible if they are corrupt and dishonest.
These people are the ones who are asking to be given a chance and when given the opportunity, they failed. Why? Because they accept to be in government to promote and enrich themselves and Ms. Gbowee is no exception. She is not above the fray before I add better than our President who has labored for peace in this country when Ms. Gbowee was nowhere to be seen or heard off.
As far as I am concerned, Ms. Gbowee has failed the Liberian women and people as a whole. Ms. Gbowee was appointed to head a reconciliation commission and not a corruption agency. Ms. Gbowee has to cover up for failing the Liberian women and people since receiving the peace prize.
She has done noting and will do nothing to help alleviate the plight of women in Liberia except to promote herself. She talked about teenage pregnancy but did she do anything about it? She has not started any programs to help alleviate the problem and will do nothing. Ms. Gbowee can do all the talking she wants because talking is cheap but when it comes to performance, she is zero. I challenge Ms. Gbowee to come forward with a performance report on herself with respect to her achievements as head of said commission.
Madam President, we the women are tired of the battering you are receiving because you try to do the right thing. We will speak for you and protect you because you have made us proud to not only be a woman but also a Liberian. If there are those in the present government who have no self-esteem, those who are dishonest and are leaches, let them go.
We will take care of your critics and I say here in closing to the Liberian people, know who to listen to and follow. Those who call themselves our leaders are just out there to get what they can for themselves and not help the Liberian people and when these people leave office, they have nothing to show except what they took for themselves as a result of the positions they occupied in government.
Rosemarie B. James is a Counselor-at-Law and a founding partner at The International Group of Legal Advocates and Consultants, and holds a BA Degree in Political Science and Government, LL.B Degree in Law, and a Masters degree in Law from McGill University. She is also President and CEO of Women Care International Foundation, a non-profit women’s organization. Cllr. James is a tenured professor of law, legal studies and criminal justice, and has worked both in the private and public sectors in Liberia and the United States.
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