PNG, NZ to open leadership centre

By LULU MARK
MEMBERS of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) must have the leadership skills to carry out their duties efficiently, Commander Brigadier-General Gilbert Toropo says.
He pointed this out during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kumul Leadership Centre at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby on Tuesday.
Toropo said it was an expensive exercise and thanked the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the funding support.
In 2015, senior officers of the force signed the Laloki Declaration in which they agreed to adopt a leadership framework to develop leaders in the force.
This was followed by the launching of the Kumul Leadership Framework and creation of the Leadership Directorate in 2017.
Toropo said the framework was to ensure all soldiers from senior officers to privates must have the leadership skills to carry out their roles.
“The leadership centre will be central to this as we seek to change and grow the culture of our organisation,” he said.
“Papua New Guineans look to the PNGDF as a disciplined force that provides leadership and set an example of what can be achieved when people work together with a common aim.
“Success in this requires our servicemen and women, irrespective of their levels, to be committed, honest and ethical.”
New Zealand High Commissioner Philip Taula said leadership training and development was an essential component of the partnership between the two military forces.
“The NZDF is pleased to collaborate in the development of the framework,” he said.