Bring back traditional leadership: Graham

TRADITIONAL leadership systems need to be recognised and revived to provide the feedback to tackle social problems effectively and successfully.
“These systems existed for many years, holding communities together.
“For social policies to be implemented successfully, we need to recognise the role of the traditional local leaders and guide them the way to tackle issues,” Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS chairman Jamie Maxtone-Graham said at a NACS consultative workshop last week.
Mr Maxtone-Graham said the feedback from such leaders would enable the formulation of solutions to social problems such as the break down in law and order, the health systems and the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
“The only way for HIV, a behavioural disease, to be contained is not through the Government and stakeholder reports.
“It is through the big man system where people will listen and respect their local village elders and chiefs,” he said.
Mr Maxtone-Graham, a guest at the two-day workshop, congratulated and thanked all the stakeholders, development and donor partners and government agencies for their time and effort in putting together the report for the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS).
Headed by the National AIDS Council under Dr Joachim Pantumari, the report was aimed at reviewing progress and challenges to date in the implementation of the 2001 declaration of commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 political declaration on HIV/AIDS at the country level.
Dr Pantumari said the report would be presented to the UN by end of this month and it must be as accurate and comprehensive as possible to show that PNG was responding to the epidemic.