Let’s focus on Independence

WE have just celebrated our 43rd year of independence and are looking forward to the Apec Leaders’ Meeting in November and many other things to come.
As I was travelling from Goroka to NCD, Manus, Madang and back between Sept 14 and 17, several community activities captured my attention.
First, face painting at schools and on the streets of several towns across Papua New Guinea used the colours black and white strongly, definitely non-PNG colours, and the designs were of the West Papuan mask.
Secondly, there was a strong display of provincial flags instead of the national flag.
To those of us who were in primary school when the first advocacy on national unity ahebou/ bung wantaim to unite the territories of Papua and New Guinea went around followed soon after by the display of the national PNG flag and the introduction of our national currency, the kina and toea, the colours rich-red, black and gold became imbedded into our minds forever.
We accepted and respected our provincial flags, which today should still always be hoisted on our designated provincial day celebrations, thanks to Bougainville, Central and East New Britain for leading the way.
Provincial day celebrations are supposed to be flagged down on the national calendar by the provincial government heads and they are not to dilute our national Independence Day on September 16 each year.
Similar expressions have been made in recent times on this issue and it is entirely up to the National Executive Council to ensure there is legislation to make the country’s Independence Day and the national flag the focus of our celebrations.
One area this can be promoted is for MPs to provide funding to every district to celebrate Independence Day at home.
It does not look good to see a mixture of flags, colours and costumes during the time of the year when we should be focusing on Independence.
About Apec: It is important that we use the event to promote the richness and diversity of our cultures.
We should be presenting our traditional costumes in their most authentic form – no bras, no pants, no Polaroid sunglasses, no shoes, no trade clothing, just pure PNG traditional costume.
About Independence Day: Let us prepare to do a better job next time, especially for our Silver jubilee in 2025.

Gerard Saleu
Goroka