Film-BRO, in cooperation with the Paradise Private Hospital, has launched on Tuesday 23rd of August, the 4th episode of “Life in the Ward”, a series of documentaries on health care in Papua New Guinea. This latest episode centered on the threat of infectious diseases, especially among the young generations. The screening, attended by over 100 people, was hosted at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby and it was sponsored by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce, Digicel Foundation and the UNFPA. “We are proud to support this series of documentaries,” said Rio Fiocco, the President of the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce, who has supported this initiative right from the start. Prof. Mola, has also stressed his commitment as the series’ scientific advisor and a recurrent protagonist for every new episode. Marco Venditti, Film-BRO’s Managing Director and producer of the documentary, acknowledged the support of all the institutions that made this work possible, especially the Paradise Private Hospital, a private institution that has co-produced the project right from the get-go. The series is now showing on the Digicel PNG Foundation's educational block, BeLit on TVWAN. Future episodes of the series will cover Tuberculosis, Malaria, and Rural Health.

The footy gods were smiling down on the Santos National Football Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the SP PNG Hunters pulled off a fairy-tale finish in their homecoming match with the Mackay Cutters in Round 20 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. Trailing by four points with seconds remaining, the Hunters produced a miracle play with their final possession to beat the Cutters in front of a joyous crowd in Port Moresby to round out their 2022 season. The 78 minutes prior was a seesawing affair as both sides struggled with their ball security in the humid conditions. The Cutters were first to trouble the scoreboard when prop Jayden Morgan barged his way over in the 16th minute thanks to a clever switch play from behind the ruck. Mackay then went over again just three minutes later when Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy took possession out the back of a questionable decoy line to score down the Cutters’ left edge. Far from going into their shells though, the Hunters quickly responded. In true PNG fashion, the Hunters frontloaded their defence to batter and bruise the Mackay forwards and quickly gain momentum through the middle of the field. A clever fifth tackle kick then pinned the Cutters in a corner and the defensive pressure PNG applied forced an error in yardage from Mackay which Hunters’ centre Rodrick Tai punished to score in the 27th minute. Benji Kot followed in his centre partner's footsteps not long after, finishing off a slick left edge movement to latch onto a Judah Rimbu cut-out pass and score in the 34th minute. With halftime looming, the Hunters then produced some enterprising play down their right edge when five-eighth Kingstimer Paraia ran it on the last to beat the rushing defence before offloading to Sherwin Tanabi in support. Two more clever offloads followed when Tanabi linked with Tai and Tai then found winger Liam Joseph back on the inside who scored in the right-hand corner to give PNG a 14-12 lead at the break. The Cutters were first to score again in the second half when Luke Wembley crossed in the 44th minute before centre-turned fullback Gehamat Shibisaki exploded with an energetic 15-minute display. Shibasaki was everywhere for the Cutters midway through the second half; scoring one himself, setting up another for Laetitia Moceidreke and denying a third for the Hunters when he intercepted a PNG pass on his own try line. For all of Shibisaki’s efforts though, the resilience and bravery of this Hunter's side – who have not been home since November 2021 and had not played a Cup game on home soil since 2019 – was the difference. A sin-binning for PNG prop Dilbert Issac with 10 minutes remaining only added to the narrative as the Hunters chased a four-point deficit with the clock winding down and a key player on the sidelines. As the PNG faithful know all too well though, you can never count out the Hunters. With just seconds remaining, hooker Wartovo Puara Jnr – the most capped player in the club’s proud history – positioned himself at halfback on Hunter's right edge and orchestrated what can only be described as a rugby league miracle. A two-pass shift through Puara Jnr got Rodrick Tai at a retreating defence despite Mackay’s numbers advantage and the centre put on a specialist move to beat his opposite man and pass winger Liam Joseph down the touchline. In just his fourth Cup game, the 20-year-old Joseph then beat no less than four Cutters defenders to get the ball free and flick a one-handed offload back inside to Puara Jnr in support. With the fullback still to beat, Puara Jnr sold him a dummy for the ages to skip back in towards the posts and dive over as the locals erupted with excitement. It was a poetic end to both a challenging season and an even more challenging three-year relocation period for the Hunters, who demonstrated that Papua New Guinea is well and truly ready to regain its status as a rugby league heartland in 2023. Head Coach Matt Church was emotional after full-time. “It’s a great exclamation point on the back of almost three years being away from home,” said Church. “I’m just incredibly proud. No other group could have done what this group has done and endured what they’ve endured and still never, ever give up.” SP PNG Hunters 30 def. Mackay Cutters 28

Prime Minister James Marape has used the occasion of the National Day of Prayer & Repentance on Friday (26/08/22) to bring the spotlight on the plight of Papua New Guinea’s women by calling on the men to take stock of their actions against women. He made the appeal while holding the men to account for many of the difficulties and problems PNG women have been experiencing and continue to face today. The Prime Minister was speaking at the Sir John Guise Stadium at the event jointly organized by the Government and churches to mark the occasion. The event involved the offering of prayers for various aspects of life and nation, singing, delivery of sermon and speeches, and has been included in the national calendar to return attention to our Christian Faith. PM Marape said: “I repent on behalf of all the men of our country, past and present. I am sorry for the wrongs we have done to our wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters. “Today on this Repentance Day, 20 days before our nation passes through 47 years of nationhood, I ask all sons of PNG to join me and say sorry to all daughters of the country. “Sons of Papua New Guinea must repent for all wrongs we have done to our daughters and sisters.” The Prime Minister said men must be the first to be held accountable as the greater responsibility falls on the man more than the woman being the leader of the family unit and the physically stronger of the two genders. “Christians, it was Eve who first sinned. But God came searching for Adam. The son, whom God created first and strongest, was passed the greater responsibility of care for everything including the care for the woman. “To our women of PNG, I say sorry on behalf of all my PNG brothers. Please, forgive us. As Jesus Himself has said ‘forgive us as we forgive those around us’.” The Prime Minister continued by highlighting the wisdom of the Founding Fathers in officially grounding the country’s predominant Christian Faith into the Constitution of the country. “To identify with Christianity is to anchor our national foundations in the Rock of Ages, the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of Life. “Our nation is one of diverse tribes and tongues. Our national leaders then – as we do now – saw that without God in our Constitution, our diverse country will find it harder to be united. “Because of this, in 2008, our Founding Father the late Great Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare returned our attention to God by calling us to repent of our sins so our nation could proper.” The Prime Minister used the opportunity to also thank the churches for their continuing support, saying the Government looks forward to working in health and education with them. Following in the “big footsteps of Sir Michael”, PM Marape has remained open about Papua New Guinea’s strong Christian Faith by making official pronouncements about this, including spearheading the work by the PNG Constitutional Law Reform Commission in getting a Constitutional proclamation of the country’s national identity as “Christian”, a consultative process which has been finalized last year and ready for submission to Parliament. PM Marape has also taken this further by setting his vision to make PNG the “Richest Black Christian Nation on Earth”, once more returning attention to the strong roots Papua New Guineans have with Christianity. In many of his high-level meetings with high commissioners and ambassadors, Prime Minister Marape uses the opportunity to point out this “advantage”, saying the environment for trade and investments in PNG is less prone to volatility unlike in many non-Christian countries because of the basic principles of Christianity of Love and Tolerance.

In their preliminary findings drawn from their observation of the 2022 National General Elections (NGE), Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has described the accumulated failures in the preparation, conduct, delivery and conclusion of the Elections as being a severely flawed process. The local civil society organization had 340 observers deployed during the polling period. TIPNG has released a Summary Paper outlining its initial assessment of the 2022 NGE drawing from these findings, TIPNG is calling for a genuine commitment from all stakeholders to undertake major reforms of our electoral process and systems to avoid similar problems in 2027. “The PNG Electoral Commission and the Government must not be complacent, the numerous problems experienced during 2022 should be a wake-up call for our nation’s leaders and administrators to take action. In launching its Summary Paper on the 2022 National General Elections TIPNG highlights provides detailed recommendations for consideration in improving the electoral process. This will require a structured intervention to restore public trust and demonstrate greater levels of competency,” said Peter Aitsi, TIPNG Board Chair in a media statement. “There is a five-year electoral planning cycle and that must be properly supported on an annual basis. The issues of 2022 will not be resolved through quick fixes, which run the risk of further depleting limited public funding for this essential democratic process. In undertaking post-election analysis, all stakeholders should focus on structured long-term interventions that will promote transparency and integrity in PNG’s National Elections,” said Mr. Aitsi. Key issues TIPNG identified during the 2022 National General Election were; frequent instances of roll inaccuracy, lack of enforcement against election offences, non-compliance with Constitutional requirements, disturbances in the conduct of the ballot counting, confusion on the declaration of seats; and widespread election-related violence. These issues will be further discussed in the full TIPNG 2022 Election Observation Report to be launched in November 2022. In its preliminary assessment, TIPNG recommended interventions includes; • developing a 5-year PNG Electoral Commission (PNGEC) communications plan to empower voters and electoral partners, • prosecution of electoral officials that were alleged to have engaged in corruption during the 2022 NGE and • developing a public complaints process and an internal anti-corruption strategy within the PNGEC prior to the 2027 NGE.

The United Nations Population Fund in Papua New Guinea has provided 19 Reproductive Health Kits and 2,000 Dignity Kits to Porgera, Kandep and Laiagam Districts in Enga Province following ethnic conflicts and election-related violence which has left hundreds of people displaced, especially women and girls. “During crises, such as what we have seen over the past three months in the Highlands Region, women and girls are particularly vulnerable,” said UNFPA Country Representative Marielle Sander. “During conflicts, natural disasters and public health emergencies, sexual and reproductive health needs cannot be overlooked. Pregnant women risk life-threatening complications without access to delivery and emergency obstetric care services.” “Restoring these services and facilitating transportation to advanced care facilities should be prioritised and, if safe transportation is not possible, we are providing safe delivery kits directly to the health providers in affected communities to prevent infection from childbirth, even during conflict.” Nineteen Reproductive Health Kits (RH Kits) have been delivered to the Enga Provincial Health Authority for distribution between 9 health care facilities in the affected districts. These kits include PPE for safe, clean deliveries, STI and HIV testing and treatment, and pregnancy testing. These kits are essential for ensuring basic sexual and reproductive health provisions are available to women and girls displaced by violence. In addition to the provision of RH Kits, UNFPA has released 2,000 Dignity Kits (DKs) from the Lae Area Medical Store and delivered these to Mount Hagen. A thousand DKs have been delivered to Care International for distribution in Porgera and the other 1,000 kits will be delivered to the Catholic Diocese of Mendi for distribution in Laiagam and Kopiam. These kits contain essential menstrual health and hygiene supplies for women and girls affected by violence to maintain good hygiene. Three months of conflict in Enga has seen more than 70 people dead and more than 300 families displaced in Porgera District alone. Being able to deliver these supplies to the women and girls who need them requires safe access to the affected areas. In this current situation, the closure of Wapenamanda Airport means essential supplies are being transported by air to Mount Hagen and by land to Enga, delaying the provision of health commodities to the communities in which they are needed.

Disappointed Brisbane coach Kevin Walters says the Broncos have an attitude problem and the club’s late-season free-fall is ultimately on him. The Broncos were embarrassed at home for second time in the space of six days with Thursday night’s 53-6 demolition from Parramatta following a 60-12 defeat at the hands of Melbourne last weekend. After conceding 113 points in their last 160 minutes of football, Brisbane’s finals hopes sit uncomfortably on a knife’s edge with their for-and-against plummeting from plus-21 to minus 26, one point worse than Canberra who play Manly on Saturday. If the Raiders beat the Sea Eagles, Brisbane will be out of the top eight before Sunday and face a must-win clash with St George Illawarra next Saturday. Walters said the performance against the Eels was “terrible” and was made all the worse by the horror injury toll that included captain Adam Reynolds (concussion) in his 250th NRL match, Kobe Hetherington (concussion), Brenko Lee (hamstring) and Tom Flegler (throat) who was taken to hospital after having trouble breathing after copping an elbow in an attempted tackle. Flegler was also put on report for a shoulder charge in a night to forget for Brisbane. After missing 66 tackles against the Storm, Brisbane missed 53 against the Eels who had the game signed, sealed and delivered by halftime. “It’s just disappointing for everyone. Obviously, we just need to fix our defence more than anything. Our attitude hasn’t been where it needs to be at this time of the year to compete against the good sides,’’ Walters said. “I’m not going to make any excuses. It (defence) hasn’t been good enough. Walters said the buck stopped with him. “I take full responsibility. Obviously, it’s my job to prepare this team and get them ready to play each week so I take responsibility, I’m not shifting the blame anywhere,’’ he said. “We want our team to perform well and we are not performing well…we don’t have too many answers at the moment, to be honest, but we just need to fix our attitude…our discipline. It’s a momentum swing and we are struggling to get it back,’’ he said.   Source: NRL.com

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme in collaboration with rural youths and students in the Greater Sepik region marked the International Youth Day 2022 (IYD) with a message for all to become innovative and take part in all nodes along the agri-food value chains, including areas supported under the Programme. Led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the EU-STREIT Programme organised two events this year in East Sepik and West Sepik Provinces, bringing together 1,781 youths in total.   These youths were briefed, sensitized, and made aware through engaging interactions, including motivational speeches, cocoa competitions, student debates, contemporary group dances, drama role plays, march pass and collective chanting, in a bid to promote this year’s theme of IYD: ‘Intergenerational solidarity, creating a world for all ages”. IYD is commemorated every year on 12 August, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international, national, and local communities, while celebrating their potential as partners in today’s global society. Explaining this year’s theme, Ms Patu Shang, the FAO International Gender and Youth Inclusion Specialist, on behalf of the Programme Coordinator, called on the elders and parents as well as authorities to provide an enabling environment for youths to excel and take over. “It means mainstreaming young people’s perspectives and we have to come together as one from all ages. Therefore in everything we do, we must sit together and include youths in solidarity so they can tell us their perspectives.” Ms Shang also challenged the youths particularly those from rural areas to become innovative and take part in agribusiness. “Don’t just sit back and observe because the world will pass you by.” She added: “EU-STREIT PNG is supporting a holistic approach to develop cocoa, vanilla and fisheries activities so every young person can find his/her place in any node along the agri-food value chains and with the advantage of technology they can develop a particular value chain either as a farmer, or input supplier, or take part in processing and marketing.” These overarching and inspirational messages where shared in the two celebrations held in Yangoru-Saussia District of East Sepik Province, on Thursday 4 August and in Vanimo, Sandaun Province, on Wednesday 17 August. The youth were also urged to participate and become an integral part of the European Union funded rural agriculture development programme, as well as to appreciate and subsequently take up “Agriculture as a Profession”, thereby curbing rural youth exodus and striving towards Zero Hunger by 2030 through the development of agri-food value chains. The commemoration in Vanimo started with a march pass in solidarity with youths and students from Don Bosco Technical Secondary and Vanimo Secondary, chanting and singing a popular line “ooh when the youths go marching in …”. In addition, present to give their speeches were the Deputy Provincial Administration for Cooperate Services and Director for Community Development, representing the Sandaun Provincial Administrator, as well as the Vanimo Royal PNG Constabulary Commander. After the official speeches, the youths went over to Don Bosco Technical Secondary to promote agriculture as a professional career with a cocoa bud grafting competition. A debate on the topic “is agriculture only for the poor and elderly” was organised as well between students from the two schools. The celebrations in Yangoru-Saussia District of East Sepik Province was held in Baimuru Village and organised jointly with the “Baimuru Heights Youths in Agri-business Group” whose common interest lies in cocoa value chain activities. The day started with a march pass by youths carrying placards and chanting and soliciting community support in their quest to make a change in the community and the country through agribusiness. It was an exciting and fun day for the youths in Baimuru Village with the support of the parents and elders to execute the day’s activities like choral music, dances and three role-plays showcasing challenges that rural farmers face like low prices for cocoa and vanilla beans and awareness on child labour. A successful female and male youth (community Campions) who have taken on agriculture as a profession also shared their success stories. The rest of the youthful population were encouraged to see the opportunities that exist agribusiness. To encorage the youths to their agriculture work, cocoa and vanilla cultivation and processing tools/materials and items like secateurs, pruning saws, wheelbarrows, cooler box/Esky, strainer, thick cloth/blanket and Digital thermometers were presented to three youth groups that supported and participated in the celebrations.  

Redcliffe back rower Jeremiah Simbiken has earned himself an NRL contract with his continual big-match displays in the Hostplus Cup. Simbiken has agreed to a three-year deal with the Dolphins which will see him hold development contract status when the new NRL team begins pre-season later this year. He capped off a big week for his future with three tries against the Northern Pride on Saturday night as Redcliffe extended their unbeaten run to 13 matches with a 49-10 victory. Simbiken was born in Papua New Guinea but moved to Canberra when he was 11 years of age. He spent some time in the Canberra Raiders’ junior system but had limited opportunity with the NSW competition suspended because of COVID and contemplated walking away from the game. The 22-year-old air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic made the move up to Redcliffe for the 2022 season and it has proved a smart choice. He has been one of the Dolphins’ best in the Hostplus Cup as the team has moved up the ladder to entrench themselves in the top four with one week to go to the finals. Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said the club was pleased to give Simbiken the chance to prove himself at NRL level. “Jeremiah has been in tremendous form in the Hostplus Cup and that has made us sit up and take notice of him,” said Reader. “He has demonstrated what an attacking weapon he can be with 13 tries in 14 matches for Redcliffe, including eight tries in his last four games. “We are pleased to be giving a player that has joined the Dolphins at state league level a chance to graduate into the NRL.” Simbiken will complete the Hostplus Cup season with Redcliffe before joining the Dolphins’ first NRL pre-season training group in November. Source: QRL.com

Queensland Rugby League can confirm the Hostplus Cup game between the PNG Hunters and Mackay Cutters in Port Moresby will now proceed as scheduled. Following public support from the Australian Government, and after further consideration of the information provided by the QRL today, the Cutters have reconsidered their position and will travel to PNG to play the final round match. QRL chief executive officer Rohan Sawyer thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his support. “The Hunters have made many sacrifices during the relocation period, so it’s a great outcome to see them back playing in front of their home fans, families and sponsors for the first time since 2019,” Sawyer said. Earlier: Queensland Rugby League has issued the Mackay Cutters with a notice of intention to terminate their Participation Agreement after the club advised it would not provide a team to play in the final round of the Hostplus Cup season. The Cutters were this weekend drawn to play the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby after the QRL Board approved the Hunters’ request to return home and play their first match in Papua New Guinea since 2019. The QRL Board completed an extensive independent risk assessment prior to giving approval for the game to proceed. The QRL said today the Cutters’ decision to not travel to Port Moresby was considered a breach of the Participation Agreement. If the Cutters are unable to remedy the breach of the Participation Agreement, they will be suspended from all QRL statewide competitions as their current Participation Agreement will be terminated. The Cutters have been requested to respond to the allegation and will be required to show cause as to why the club should continue their involvement in QRL statewide competitions in 2023. Source: QRL.com

The Nambawan Super family have answered the call to roll-up their sleeves and give blood in the hopes of helping to save lives around the Country through the Port Moresby General Hospital (POM Gen) Blood Drive program. This week, 51 Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) Head Office staff volunteered to give back to the wider community through the program. From the group, 27 staff were deemed eligible and successfully donated blood for the cause. Every week POM Gen needs approximately 400 bags of clean blood to assist those in need and recognising the need for more blood donors the NSL team quickly stepped up to answer the call. NSL CEO Mr Paul Sayer remarked, “usually when we interact with staff from POM Gen, who are also our members, we are the ones helping them with their statements, lodgements and enquiries but this activity was special as our staff got a chance to partner with them and support the great work that they do”. “On behalf of the Fund, I thank the staff of POM Gen and all our health workers for their hard work every day saving lives through direct medical services and programs like these which are crucial to meeting the needs of patients across the Country”. “I also commend our staff for their initiative in partnering with POM Gen to participate in the ongoing Blood Drive program”. “Nambawan Super is the Trustee for over 214,000 Members but our Vision, Mission and Values extend to all Papua New Guineans. We recognise that the improved health and wellbeing of all PNG citizens is crucial to the continued socio-economic development of the Country”. “As such, throughout our 60 years of service to the people of PNG, Nambawan Super has and will continue to support activities that deliver returns for our members and promote development that can benefit the wider PNG community”. “We at Nambawan Super aim to continue working with the goal of building better futures for our members at the forefront of all our endeavours for the next 60 years and further”, he concluded.

The Department of Personnel Management has issued Circular Instruction No. 14 of 2022 urging all public servants nation-wide to attend and celebrate the National Repentance Day tomorrow (26/08/2022). This Circular Instruction complements Circular Instruction 13 of 2022 that was recently issued by DPM to all heads of Departments, Provincial Administrators, Heads of other Public Authorities and Public Servants advising them on the National Repentance Day. DPM Secretary, Ms Taies Sansan said this is a very important event for the Country, as Community Development Secretary, Mr Jerry Ubase has advised all Heads of Government Agencies through his Circular dated 19th of August 2022 that there is a scheduled Program for the National Repentance Day to be celebrated on Friday 26th August, 2022. “It is therefore not a normal day off so public servants in NCD are requested to attend the program at the Sir John Guise Outdoor Stadium to witness the event of which our Prime Minister, Hon. James Marape, will be the Keynote Speaker for the occasion.” “Provincial Administrators are also requested to arrange similar Program with your Public Servants and the Church community to celebrate this very important day in the Provinces tomorrow”. All Public servants are to resume duty on Monday 29th of August, 2022 at 7:45 am.

Papua New Guinea Red Cross Society cleaned up the city and donated hygiene kits to Cheshire disability services in commemoration of the 2022 World Humanitarian Day under the theme The Human Race. Staff and 48 volunteers did a cleanup along the street and footpaths from 3 mile to 4 mile before they went to Cheshire Disability Services and donated Hygiene Kits. The day was commemorated under the Healthy Life Style and Healthy Environment Campaign to raise awareness and build resilience for communities against COVID-19. The 19th of August is a very significant day in our calendar where we remember and celebrate the work of Humanitarians around the world. This year’s theme is The Human Race and is aimed to highlight the issues related to the global climate change emergency and highlights the immediate consequences of the climate emergency of the world’s most vulnerable people and raise awareness for their wellbeing. Mr. Jimmy Peter, Chairman of the PNGRCS NCD & Central branch said, “We are absolutely delighted to celebrate the day by giving back to the community. PNG RCS is a humanitarian organization that has been serving vulnerable communities in PNG for almost 46 years and it was good to commemorate and remember the hard work and sacrifices made by the Volunteers and staff from the past and present.” Also present on that day were 48 volunteers who came very early in the morning to do clean up and visit Cheshire Disability Services. Jaison Kaut, a volunteer said, “Volunteerism is probably the greatest act a person can do to give something back to the humanity and to make the world a better place.” He acknowledged PNG RCS for organizing the event so they can participate. Peter added that PNG RCS relies on the commitment of the volunteers and it was a great to see our youths and young volunteers spare at least a day to do good will and to be involved in community work. PNG Red Cross Society extends our gratitude to our movement partners the IFRC, ARC and the ICR. Special thanks to NCDC for providing us with garbage bags and also supporting the event and acknowledge the support from our faithful volunteers.