Ministry of Labour & Employment - Papua New Guinea

31/07/2024

31st July 2024

MEDIA RELEASE

Rai Coast District Presents K100, 000 Flight Subsidy to MAF

Minister for Labour & Employment and Member for Rai Coast Hon. Kessy Sawang MP, today presented a cheque of K100,000 to Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to subsidise flights in and out of Rai Coast district.

Out of the 120,000 populace of Rai Coast district, 60% (70,000) of the people live in an area where it is only accessible by air.

The flight subsidy will help the district to deliver goods and services direct to the people and to help the farmers to bring their agricultural products to sell in town.

Rai Coast district has 11 airstrips which had been closed 15 – 20 years ago but under the current leadership of Minister Sawang, the district has taken a new approach and has a partnership with the Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) who are currently rehabilitating the 11 airstrips of which 4 airstrips have all been rehabilitated while 7 are currently undergoing rehabilitation. The 4 airstrips that have already been rehabilitated are Nankina, Mibu, Teptep and Saidor.

“My district wants to see consistent third level airlines service all those 11 airstrips because we produce a lot of food, apples and even wheats and lots of coffee up in the mountains. I don’t want to just rehabilitate the airstrips and see no planes landing.”

“We are happy to have this partnership with MAF. Now that we have paid for the flight subsidy, we will advise MAF as and when we require the plane to service our district airstrips,” Minister Sawang said.

Authorised for Release

Hon. Kessy Sawang, MP

23/05/2024

23rd May 2024

MEDIA RELEASE

Minister Sawang and Ambassador Yastishock hold talks on Labour issues in Papua New Guinea

U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, Ann Marie Yastishock, met with the Minister for Labour and Employment, Hon. Kessy Sawang, MP, today to discuss various labour issues in Papua New Guinea. Their discussions covered a range of topics, including labour and employment governance institutional capacity, minimum wage, skills uplift and formalizing the informal, human trafficking, women's economic empowerment, gender equality, and the impact of youth population growth on employment.

Ambassador Yastishock emphasized the importance of these discussions for fostering comfort and stability in the country. She expressed interest in understanding how the U.S. can partner with Papua New Guinea to address labour issues, especially in light of the government's ambitious goal of creating one million jobs by 2027. "What support does the government need to achieve this target?" she inquired.

Ambassador Yastishock also raised the concern that Papua New Guinea is in Tier 3 in terms of human trafficking. This is already a red flag for foreign direct investment, especially from US companies.

Minister Sawang elaborated on the job creation target, which is part of Papua New Guinea's Medium Term Development Plan 4 (MTDP 4) and aligns with the Vision 2050 and PNG Strategic Development Plan, aiming for two million jobs from 2010 to 2030.

She acknowledged the challenges posed by the country's population growth, which increased from 3.1% in 2011 to 4.9% in 2022, adding approximately four million people over the last decade, with 60% being youth. When population growth outpaces economic growth, there are more people in the labour force who are seeking employment.

The Minister highlighted her ministerial key focus areas, including modernizing outdated labour laws, many of which date back to colonial and pre-independence times. She emphasized the need to integrate National Conventions on International Labour Conventions (ILO) into the country's legislation and focus on labour legislation reforms.

We are reviving the National Apprenticeship and Trade Testing to ensure that trade skills of our people are tested and certified. Apart from those going through the formal system, we also have a large informal sector. We need to get this large informal sector having at least some certified skills so they can move into the formal sector.

Our national trades standards haven’t been reviewed for the last 12 years. We are reviving that now so we can get as many people that come through the formal system as well as those in the informal sector through uplifting their skills. By enhancing skills, both in the formal and informal sectors, the government aims to address the identified skills gap and improve employment opportunities.

Minister Sawang also said that PNG in 2023 ratified the International Labour Convention on Violence and Harassment at Workplace and she’s like to see that adopted into our laws, policies and implemented.

Lack of data is also a big challenge for Papua New Guinea. Minister Sawang thanked the Marape-Rosso Government for allocating funding in the 2024 budget to conduct PNG’s first ever labour force survey.

Authorised for Release

Hon. Kessy Sawang, MP

16/05/2024

15th May 2024

MEDIA RELEASE

Bangladesh Ambassador pays courtesy visit to Minister Sawang

His Excellency Tarikul Islam, Ambassador designate of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea made a courtesy visit to the Minister for Labour and Employment Hon. Kessy Sawang, MP, at her office this morning.

Minister Sawang and His Excellency Islam also had discussions which was centred around Skills Training, Human Development Education, Bangladesh experience in the Labour Mobility Scheme and Papua New Guinea’s challengers in Labour skills and Employment.

“We do have our challengers and one of them is population. Almost 60% of our population is made up of youth and as the Minister for Labour & Employment, that is one of the challengers for us were we got to equip them with necessary skills and to create opportunities for employment for them,” Minister Sawang said.

The Minister also shared Papua New Guinea’s experience in the Regional Labour Mobility Program with Australia and New Zealand which is mostly for unskilled and semi-skilled workforce. The National Apprenticeship Trade Testing Board (NATTB) is working at reviewing trade skills standards to ensure our youth are equipped and certified with necessary skills which can be used to secure better-paying employment in the labour mobility scheme.

“The other thing my Department and Ministry is also concerned about is the Social Protection, protection of workers weather in the country or when they are abroad which has been one of our issues. In our government, sometimes we look at the remittance that are coming in from the workers, but we don’t really look at their welfare weather they are having decent work, and this is something we will be looking into,” Minister Sawang stated.

His Excellency Tarikul Islam has invited Minister Sawang to send a delegation to visit Bangladesh education skills development institutions and exchanged views on how to improve and develop labour skills training and employment in the country.

“We are in a globalised context, and it is mutual beneficial which we can learn certain things from you, and you can also learn from us. We can also have established cooperation in potential beneficial sectors for our people of both countries,” His Excellency Tarikul Islam concluded.

Authorised for Release

HON. KESSY SAWANG

17/03/2024

HON. KESSY SAWANG MP
MINISTER FOR LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
MEMBER FOR RAI COAST

WAN PNG PROJECT OFFICIAL LAUNCH

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Acknowledgements:

• Mr. Wapu Sonk - Managing Director, Kumul Petroleum Holdings
• Distinguished Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen

I am honored and pleased to be here today to launch the WAN PNG platform – a partnership initiative between UBIDY and Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited to assist our Papua New Guinean Workforce in their quest for employment opportunities.

As the Minister for Labour and Employment, I am keen to support any program/project/initiative that contributes to getting more Papua New Guineans into the public and private sector workforce.
Under the Government’s current strategic plan – the Medium-Term Development Plan IV (MTDP IV), we aim to support the creation of one (1) million jobs by 2027. The MTDP IV is premised on the theme of achieving “National Prosperity through Growing the Economy”. This theme builds on achievements and lessons from past MTDPs and presents new and innovative approaches to accelerate social and economic growth that translates into fulfilling our aspirations.

PNG is poised to enter into the next super-cycle of economic activity driven by new projects in the resource activity. During this upswing we know from past experiences we can expect a boost to incomes and to jobs. I commend the Trustee of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited and our Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, the Chairman and Board of KPHL and its CEO especially, Mr. Wapu Sonk, for their leadership and foresight in initiating this project.

This will enhance efficiencies in the labour market in streamlining the job search process, connecting the skills of workers with the needs of employers and smooth job transitions. A flexible and dynamic labour market can reduce unemployment, optimize economic growth and support economic development.
In addition, it will assist track information and data in line with the development objective on Quality Education and Skilled Human Capital and Digital Government, National Statistics and Public Service Governance of the MTDP IV.

Let me share some labour market statistics. Our official statistics indicate a labour force participation rate of 51.8%. Overall, women have a participation rate in the labour market of 50.6% compared to men with 53.1%. Within the formal world of work we see considerably lower
employment rates for women. From superannuation data we see that around 25% of the formal labour workforce are women. This is true for both the private sector and the public sector.

Again, statistics from our National Statistics Office from a Socio-demographic and economic survey it conducted in 2022 reveal an employment rate of 97.6%. When we look at the composition, the statistics reveal that 54.5% of workers are employed in paid or wage-earning jobs with 60.3% being men and 48.3% being women.

NSO also tells us that of impressively high employment rate of 97.6%, 33.8% are self-employed, working on their own farm or garden or in fishing.

From this a number of observations can be made but will focus on two. The first observation I wish to share is that there are considerable gender gaps in the world of work. Women in Papua New Guinea do not have the same opportunities and rights in the workplace. A 25% labour force participation rate in the formal labour market is simply unacceptable. We need to do more.
We have a moral obligation to improve the lives and livelihoods of women.

But there is also considerable economic and social benefits. Recent analysis by the World Bank shows that if women participated equally in the labour market, average income of Papua New Guinea would be 20% higher over the long run. To put this into perspective, real national income of Papua New Guinea is estimated to be K71.8 billion for 2024. It could be K14.2 billion higher if we eliminated the gender gaps in the labour market. This is not just greater national prosperity but it means a higher standard living and better quality of life not just for women and girls but all Papua New Guineans.

My second observation. I have commissioned a labour force survey that the National Statistical Office will conduct at the end of this year. This will use the latest standards for labour statistics and employment will have a more precise definition. It is work that is done for pay or for profit and excludes work done for production and services for own use such as subsistence farming and fishing.

This definition means our employment rate will be considerably lower than 97.6%. This is the reality we need to deal with. We need to create more jobs and we need to uplift skills that are relevant, boost national productivity and give our people opportunities.

Every year our various educational institutions graduate people with a variety of administrative, professional and trade qualifications. This platform provides another avenue to leverage their job opportunities, placements, and training.

Wan PNG is tailored for everyone whereby it helps individuals to make well informed choices in education, training, and careers. Wan PNG will also promote employer recognition and career development based on skills. This platform enables smart matching between jobs and candidates.

The platform will enable access to a diverse and wide pool of employers and job seekers. Moreover, it will connect job seekers, employers and training institutions in one place. Furthermore, it will foster a culture that supports lifelong learning and upskilling in the PNG Labour market.

WAN PNG is a platform for employment placement services for our citizens.

We are entering into a market where there are other competitors providing similar services at this time when development in various industries have put our manpower capacities in high demand.

WAN PNG platform brings together employers, educators, training organizations, community leaders, NGOs and government stakeholders to build an online ecosystem that drives greater skill development and employment in the country. This must have positive benefits for all stakeholders, and I commend Kumul Petroleum for creating this platform.

This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the PNG National Employment Policy which calls for the development of the Labour Market Information System that my Ministry administers.

This platform will further strengthen partnership and collaboration on information and data collection/sharing on the labour market for the Labour Market Information System. With the launch of WAN PNG, it will enhance collaboration that will also efficiently reflect statistics and trends in the labour market.

I also believe that WAN PNG will be a useful analytical tool for the Government as a user, specifically in the development of curriculum for our training institutions to address skills gaps in the labour market. Wan PNG can assist identify skill sets that are required in the various employment sectors.

I look forward to WAN PNG making a positive contribution to Papua New Guinea’s labour market, leading to increased employment opportunities and to seeing how it will assist transform the nation over the years to come.

Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to officially launch the Wan PNG platform: www.wanpng.com

07/03/2024

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 8 MARCH 2024

HON. KESSY SAWANG, MP, MINISTER FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

MEDIA STATEMENT

INVEST IN WOMEN: ACCELERATE PROGRESS

Today Papua New Guinea joins the international community to observe and commemorate International Women’s Day. The theme is to invest in women and accelerate progress.

“The status of women and girls remains one of Papua New Guinea’s greatest development challenges. There are significant gaps in women’s empowerment, leadership, labour force participation, in economic and pay outcomes and in rights and opportunities,” said Minister Sawang.

“From the most recent statistics from our National Statistical Office women and girls account for 48% of our population but comparable proportions are not observed in political representation and decision-making positions. I am honoured to be an elected leader in National Parliament together with my sisters Hon. Rufina Peter and Hon. Francesca Semoso but 3 out of 118 represents a dismal rate of 2.5%. Our people want a Parliament that looks like them and needs leadership and a voice that recognizes their struggles and concerns. Half of our population are not adequately represented in Parliament. The lived experiences of women are necessary to shape laws, policies and administration that lead to better lives and conditions for women and girls and indeed for all children and all our people. Effectively, half of our population is missing from a seat at the decision-making table – this is wrong. “

Minister Sawang further stated “I note a recent World Bank 2024 study finds that globally women have just under two-thirds of the legal rights of men affecting their economic and social participation. The gender gap however for Papua New Guinea is even more stark with women only having 47.5% of the legal rights of men. This is compounded by significant weaknesses in implementation framework. Our country scores only 10%.”

“If women participated equally in all facets of our economy, society, and politics we could achieve average income that is 20% higher in the long run with significant additional benefits. This is sustainable, this is inclusive, and this is empowering. Most of all it places our people at the centre of development.”

“Our official statistics indicate a labour force participation rate of 51.8%. Overall, women have a participation rate in the labour market of 50.6% compared to men with 53.1%. I find unacceptable that within the formal world of work we see considerably lower employment rates for women. From superannuation data around 25% of the formal labour workforce are women this is true for both the private sector and the public sector.

“Women predominantly find employment in the informal sector which is not subject to the same regulatory protection as the formal sector. The informal sector employs those with lower skills and less education. It accounts for a large proportion of our young and of women. Informality is associated with greater poverty of income and opportunities and with inequality and less access to legal protection, banking and financing, networks, and other key infrastructure. As part of the work to uncover the disproportionate burden carried by women and girls, I have commissioned the first gender disaggregated labour force survey to be conducted at the end of this year. This will provide insights into the gender gaps and allocation of time across unpaid care and domestic work as well as work in the informal sector. This will allow deliberative policies and initiatives to address these inequalities.

Minister reaffirmed her commitment to strengthen social protection for women and the vulnerable including those living with disabilities. “There remain considerable legal gaps in social protection for women and girls. Our labour policies and legislative frameworks need to be modernized to align with those international standards we have adopted and to address barriers to the safe and full participation of women in the workforce. Papua New Guinea have ratified 8 core conventions concerning human rights at work and four priority conventions pertaining to protection of women’s rights at work. Papua New Guinea has also ratified the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on Basic Rights of Children. Last year I deposited with the International Labour Organisation the ratification instruments for the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 206), Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) and Tripartite Consultation Convention, 1976 (No. 144). I will be bringing to Parliament this year a new law for Occupational Safety and Health. These will support women in the workplace by removing discrimination and protect their right to fair, dignified, safe, healthy, and equal treatment.

“But the legal framework in itself is not a sufficient to produce the better outcomes we seek for women. We need to pay attention to the supporting environment and the implementation of our laws and its enforcement. The World Bank study finds that Papua New Guinea’s supportive framework scores 10% indicating that is the implementation of law is largely absent. The Government and the public sector need to refocus on core role and responsibilities. Within my Ministry, I am determined to introduce a high-performance culture and modern work practices and to lift morale and work ethics. A diagnostic exercise to identify roadmap for improved efficiency and effectiveness for agencies within my ministries will be conducted. An immediate priority is to ensure the implementation of the restructure of my department is done this year with overdue staff appointments undertaken. I will look to introduce ICT tools to improve the functions of labour inspection and occupational health and safety and set up our labour information management system.

Minister Sawang emphasized that “Women’s advancement is not an issue for women and girls alone it is a national issue that demands a unified collective approach. To all State agencies, business houses, churches and civil society organisations, human right advocates and community groups who continue to promote and advocate for women’s rights and gender equality I thank you. I call for our men to be champions for gender equality to be active participants, both as individuals and together, to break norms and behaviors that perpetuate a cycle of violence, discrimination, and marginalization of women.

In concluding Minister Sawang stated “To all the women of PNG, including those that have gone before us, I acknowledge and salute you. I thank you for being a central pillar of our lives, of our communities and our country. You inspire us to strive towards a better, just, and fair Papua New Guinea for all. God bless you.

“Happy International Women’s Day celebration. “

APPROVED FOR RELEASE

HON. KESSY SAWANG, MP
Minister for Labour and Employment

12/02/2024

11/02/2024

Ministry of Labour & Employment and Department of Labour and Industrial Relations 2024 Dedication Service highlights.

Video credit: Teshuvah Media

07/02/2024

The review of the minimum wage will be one of the main agenda items at the National Tripartite Consultative Council (NTCC) meeting to be held in March 2024.

05/02/2024

05th February 2024

MEDIA RELEASE

Minister Sawang gives an update on Minimum Wage

Minister for Labour & Employment Hon. Kessy Sawang says there have been a lot of calls from workers in the country to increase the Minimum Wage which is currently at K3.50 per hour which was set in 2014 when the last minimum wage review was undertaken.

“As you’ve heard our Prime Minister Hon. James Marape who had informed our country that the Minimum Wage Review will be one of the key things that we are going to do this year,” Minister Sawang said.

Minister Sawang explained that there is a council called the National Tripartite Consultative Council (NTCC) which is the body that is made up of the government including the representatives of the employers and the employees.

The Tripartite Council is chaired by Minister Sawang as the Minister for Labour & Employment, four other State Ministers and heads of institutions from both the employers and employees.

“In November last year, I appointed the members of the Tripartite Council who are representatives of the employers and the employees, and it’s been gazetted and by law we had to give six weeks’ notice in advance which I am happy to inform the country that as of last week Friday, we have given the notice to all the social partners, tripartite members, the Ministers including the representatives from the employers and the employees which means that on the 15th of March, 2024 will be the NTCC meeting,” Minister Sawang added.

The review of Minimum wage will be one of the main agenda items for the NTCC meeting.

Currently, the working committee is made up of our social partners including key government agencies. They are working on the Terms of Reference (TOR).

“There must be a Terms of Reference for the review to happen, so I am happy to inform the country that they have already progressed well in advance with the TOR. By 15th of March, I should inform the country on what the council decides on the TOR,” added Minister Sawang.

For the employers, the Tripartite Council members who have been appointed are representatives of the Employers Federation of PNG, Manufacturers Council, Rural Industries Council, Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce & Industry and PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.

For the employees, the Tripartite Council members appointed are from the PNG Trade Union Congress, Police Association, Banks and Financial Sectors Workers Union, PNG Nurses Association, PNG Teachers Association and Commercial Workers Association.

“I look forward to conducting the review, which is one of my Key Performance Indicator (KPI) as a State Minister,” the Minister for Labour & Employment concluded.

05/02/2024

GRADUATION SPEECH, UNIVERSITY OF GOROKA

31 January 2024

Quality Graduates for Nation Building

Ladies and gentlemen, Chancellor and members of the Council, Vice-Chancellor and esteemed academic and administrative staff, proud parents, distinguished guests, and, most importantly, the exceptional graduands of the University of Goroka.

My message today is for the graduands. Before I come to that, let me first acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land upon which the University of Goroka, and well this National Sports Institute stand. I acknowledge their leadership – past, present and emerging.

Dear Graduands, today marks a significant milestone in your lives – a momentous occasion where we gather now to celebrate not just the culmination of years of hard work and dedication but also the emergence of a cohort of quality graduates ready to contribute to the noble task of nation building.

To the graduands, as you stand on the threshold of a new chapter, we should reflect on the profound impact that education has had and will have on our lives. The university experience is not merely about acquiring knowledge but, more importantly, about cultivating critical thinking, fostering creativity, and nurturing the values that will guide you in your future endeavors. It is also about the deep friendships and networks formed that you can call on both professionally and personally in the journeys that lie before you.

The ethos of your educational journey is something we should take time to reflect on. You the graduands are not just here to receive degrees; you are here to assume the responsibility that comes with the privilege of education – the responsibility to contribute to the building and shaping of our nation. You have a destiny. You have been called. Do not shirk from this.

Let me share with you some statistics of the immense honor bestowed on you. I recognize your hard work. I salute you but you have indeed a rare and great privilege. We are all aware of the
stark reality of the poverty of opportunity for our people. I will share with you some statistics from the last census in 2011. It is something that motivated my journey into political leadership – to make difference just as I hope you too will seek a path that allows you to contribute to building a better and stronger Papua New Guinea.

Access to education is inequitable not just in terms of getting to school but the quality of teaching and the additional resources that are needed. So many children in PNG cannot access computers,
cannot afford internet data credits let alone the device like mobile phones to connect to the internet. Many don’t have electricity to power these devices or to simply have light to study at
night. According to the 2011 Census, less than 6.6% of the population (aged 5 and above) had a Grade 12 qualifications. For those that have progressed to get a qualification (vocational, degree, colleges – teachers, health, business, secretarial, technical, apprenticeship or protective services) the ratio drops to 3%. For university education less than 1% of the population have a university degree. Yes. You heard me correctly, less than 1% - this is an extraordinary statistic. We have a census planned for the middle of this year and the indicators of educational attainment we derive from it will reveal if we have made progress.

Also, less than 1% of our population pays income tax and the sum of that has for most of our recent history excluded the period of high oil prices, been more than the Government received from company taxes on mining and petroleum companies.

You truly are privileged and with that privilege comes great responsibility. It may seem that you will be called upon to contribute a disproportionate amount than others. But that is not the case.

You will be called upon to contribute more because you can and where others are unable to. You will be called upon because you are blessed and because you have been chosen.

Outstanding graduates, as you all are, are not defined solely by the grades they achieve or the degrees they hold. Rather, they are characterized by a commitment to excellence, a passion for continuous learning, and an unwavering dedication to using their knowledge for the greater good.

In the landscape of nation-building, your role of quality graduates is pivotal. You can be the architects of progress, the catalysts for change, and the bearers of the torch that illuminates the path toward a brighter future. Education has endowed you not only with skills but with a sense of social responsibility, a commitment to justice, and an understanding of the interconnectedness of your actions and their impact on a larger community.

As you step out into the world, carry with you the values instilled in you during your time at this great institution, University of Goroka. I challenge you to be ambassadors of compassion, champions of diversity, and advocates for inclusivity and most importantly to be the change that our beloved country Papua New Guinea desperately needs. In our pursuit of success, let us not forget the importance of empathy and understanding, for it is through these qualities that we can bridge gaps, foster collaboration, and build a nation that thrives on unity.

Nation-building is a collective effort, and each one of you plays a crucial role in shaping the destiny of our country. Your skills, knowledge, and the ethical foundation laid during your university years position you as agents of positive change. I call on you to embrace this role with enthusiasm, integrity, and a commitment to leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of our nation's progress.

So, as we celebrate this graduation day, let us not only reflect on our achievements but also on the responsibilities that come with the privilege of education. Let our actions be guided by a sense of purpose and let us contribute meaningfully to the betterment of our great country Papua New Guinea.

As you venture forth let me share with you SEVEN life hacks.

ONE. Have a purpose. If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. Purpose gives you direction
and it gives ambition.

TWO. Have a passion. Define yourself by what you love. When I look around, I see that there’s often a tendency for many to define themselves in opposition to things. Rather than be against something take a different approach. Be for something. It’s a small adjustment but a profound one. Choose to do something that you love that you are passionate about and trust me you will never work again in your life. If you don’t love it – don’t do it. Don’t try to make a career out of something that doesn’t excite and fill you with enthusiasm. Try to express your passion for things you love. Be demonstrative and generous in your application and enthusiasm.

THREE. Be good at whatever you choose to do. There are no shortcuts. You can pose and hide behind a Facebook or Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) account or behind flashy profile or a
fancy website but being good takes hard work. Really hard work. Here at university, you worked hard. In life and in work, you will also have to work hard. But remember if you do something you
have a passion for you won’t consider your occupation work.

FOUR. There are no automatic entitlements in life. The secret to success is hard work. Hard work pays off. This requires discipline. You must persevere and be consistent. Doesn’t the victory taste so much better when you’ve worked hard for it. Success loves discipline. Each success you experience is but a precursor to the next success. Each journey you take will have milestones. These are mere pit stops to the next stage of your travels. It’s a tough world out there and it can be cruel and harsh, which brings me to five.

FIVE. Have courage. Courage in the face of adversity. Courage and strength in the face of temptation. Courage to do the right thing and stay the course even when ethical leadership puts you in a lonely and vulnerable place. Also do not be afraid to have a go and fail. For it is in those times of failure that we discover our inner strength and true character. From all our experiences in life, we will carry scars of our defeats and the joys of our victories into the expression of our being and self-worth. The scars of failures are a celebration of growth. Don’t let it hold you back but propel forward, to build you, strengthen you and develop you. I have failed quite a few times. Some of my failures have been quite big and costly but hey have shaped me and made me a better person. Failure teaches you too that you’re a survivor and that is a powerful reassurance so you can keep striving and chasing those goals. Everybody fails, it is inevitable. But I say this to you. If you live a life in which you never fail, because you have taken no chances and played it safe then you will not have lived at all. And that type of life would be a failure in itself.

SIX. Be a good person and live a good life. Be kind, it is so easy to forget this. Respect people especially those that have less than you. Be honest and generous. Be compassionate. Leave your
prejudices, biases and privilege behind you and open your mind and hearts to the joy of life.

SEVEN. My final advice to you. One that I could have started with, but I’ve chosen to end with as if you remember nothing I’ve said before perhaps this will linger in your thoughts and be the one
takeaway you go home with at the end of today. Put God first.
As you stand at the threshold of new beginnings, let us take inspiration from the words of Jeremiah 29:11. 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the YAHWEH, 'plans to prosper
you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'

Graduands, as you embark on your journey beyond these academic walls, carry with you the assurance that your path is guided by a divine purpose. May the promise of hope and a bright future fuel your endeavors and inspire you to make a positive impact on the world.

Congratulations and best wishes to you the class of 2024, and may your future be filled with purpose, prosperity, and the fulfillment of God's plans for each and every one of you.

I also congratulate the leadership, management and staff of the University of Goroka for producing another batch of quality graduates for nation building.”

Thank you and God Bless!