Concerned with PNG’s future on world stage

 I WONDER where my country’s next political and economic destiny will  be in this world of interlinked global politics and economy. 

Is Papua New Guinea ready to face the current challenges of the globalisation process? 

Yes, provided that PNG is a member of the global communities through conventions, treaties and bilateral relations. 

But take serious assessment of the disadvantages of globalisation that impact PNG’s economy and politics. 

Our faith, philosophy, culture, norms and values are under attack from all directions and our people are engulfed by conflicting ideologies.

This is called “predatory globalisation” and is very dangerous. 

This type of globalisation can endanger the political and economic future of a country so the government must choose the right approach in foreign policies.  

I write this letter because I am concerned about the economic and political future of PNG.

Since the introduction of the self-government system in 1950-1952 to the birth of independence in 1975, PNG has been used as a political-power battlefield and therefore some important policy matters have never been discussed nationally. 

In the process, there has been a lot of policy U-turns.

The people have suffered because leaders have focused on political power  instead of developing the country. 

Most of our people remain in the dark about development and service delivery. 

Thirty years down the road, countless Papua New Guineans have died without experiencing services that are their right such as water, electricity, health, education and housing.

They have been denied all this by a political culture that  appears to toss away voters like used tissues as soon as they have been elected.

Another contributing factor to the the poor rate of development of the country is bureaucratic inertia.

The public service does not seem to have a culture of serving the people. If this is the best they can do, then the country is in a deep hole.

We also have to ask just how much corruption is hindering service delivery to the rural masses.

Therefore, the current government must introduce policies that will have long-lasting impacts. 

Ken Andrew, Via email