By Michelle A Steven
Copyright postcourier
Western Highlands Province was proud to welcome the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the country’s Prime Minister James Marape recently at the Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province.
The General Secretary’s visit to Western Highlands Province and Papua New Guinea itself is significant because the first Europeans to visit the Island of New Guinea were Portuguese.
Portuguese explorer Jorge de Meneses according to History in 1526-27 named the land “Ilhas dos Papuas” or “land of fuzzy haired people.”
Western Highlands Province Governor Wai Rapa during the reception welcomed the UN Secretary General, Prime Minister James Marape and delegates to Mt Hagen the heart of the Highlands region.
“You are the first Secretary General to visit Mt Hagen and I am honored and warmly welcome you.”
The Governor went on describing the regions breathtaking landscape, soaring mountains, majestic rivers and unique plants and animal species as some of the best in the world.\
The Governor stressed on the government hierarchy in which PNG is governed. He explained to the UN Secretary General that he as the Governor is the chairman of WHP.
“The Provincial Executive Council (PEC) makes the province’s executive decisions where I chair this PEC as the cabinet’s executive council of WHP.”
“The Highlands region represents around one-third of PNGs population,” said Mr Rapa.
The Governor said that Mt Hagen is the commercial hub of the Highlands region and is connected by road to natural resource rich provinces like Enga, Hela and the Southern Highlands.
“Western Highlands is the agriculture hub of this country that is why it is called the food basket of PNG.”
“Our local economy is driven by agriculture, coffee and tea,” said the Governor.
The Governor on behalf of the people of WHP thanked the United Nations for funding key program’s that the people of WHP have benefited from in terms of health programs like the COVID-19 vaccines, education projects, supporting women and youth group trainings and educating NGO outreach programs.
Governor Wai also thanked and welcomed PM Marape for his continuous support and recognition of WHP.
“Under your leadership, WHP has witnessed much needed change in road and infrastructure projects.”
Prime Minister James Marape thanked WHP for receiving Mr Guterres and his delegates with respect and true PNG identity with the sing sing groups in traditional Hagen culture.
“The Secretary General is the head of the entire global family of nations in which PNG became part of after independence.”
The Prime Minister added to what Governor Rapa said and stated that in a country of so much diversity, we find unity in the provincial government systems.
Marape said that the provincial government system embraces the country’s diversity.
“Western Highlands Province has embraced that system with its Governor and the local members of parliament.”
Mr Guterres a Portuguese descendant himself when visiting the country said that he was deeply impressed by his visit to Western Highlands Province.
“Papua New Guinea should be proud of its 50 years of democracy.”
The UN Secretary General said that that democracy is a democracy that respects human rights and a democracy that allows for a country to be united.
“I understand that with an enormous diversity, PNG is indeed one people, one nation and one county,” said Mr Guterres.
