Defining brighter future for PNG

WE have read about leaders whose influence have left lasting impact on the lives of people all over the world.
From the America’s to Europe, Asia and the African continent, influential and powerful leaders sprang up to rule their subjects for the good or for the bad.
The legacy left behind will reveal each leader’s philosophy and purpose.
From extremists such as Adolf Hitler to popular personalities such as Nelson Mandela and the in-betweens, they all have left their stories behind.
Mandela is known for his fight against apartheid whilst Hitler for his brutality and racism.
That’s the legacy both leaders left behind.
The question I ask is: what kind of legacy will this generation of leaders leave behind when it is their turn to do so?
Leadership attributes known in our Melanesian culture is no longer there. Instead, self-interest and greed have overtaken and redefine a new normal version of leadership powered by secular interest.
This new normal version of leadership is the catalyst for breakdown in good governance, unequitable distribution of wealth, increase in social disorder with poor and ineffective management of law and order.
Integrity and statesmanship seen among our pioneer leaders in yesteryears are absent in today’s so-called young leaders.
It is clear that most leaders of this generation are in it for themselves and will go to any lengths to hold onto power.
The reason for this is obvious and many.
To bring about good leaders, two fundamental activities are needed. Foremost is to introduce the electronic voting system, which India is ready to assist PNG in this area.
Secondly, invite prominent members from the Commonwealth nations to run our election with the Australian Federal Police to monitor the process from the distribution of ballots to voting, counting and the declaration of candidates.
These strategies will address 90 per cent of our election-related disputes and, more importantly, give PNG leaders the integrity and high moral values.
Our common aspiration to make this country great depends on leadership and until we have more credible leaders, our future is in limbo.
As I continue to see my grandchildren as an average income earner, I am concerned for their future.
Please leaders, you have enough, build good roads, schools and provide better health care for us.
Invest in job-creation ventures going forward.
Leave a defined legacy for the future generation.

Grand Father
Goroka