The Hook in4 Health program is a new exciting multi-faceted initiative for participants, that has an overall objective to enable all participants involved in Papua New Guinea to live well, learn well, and lead well through hockey. This project is funded in part by the Australian Government as a Sport for Development opportunity under the TEAM Up umbrella. The project began in Port Moresby in 2021 and they are excited to now take it to Lae, Kokopo & Manus on the 25th to the 29th July 2022 and a Hockey Workshop via Zoom to be held on the 30th of July with Zoom Hubs in Lae, Kokopo, Manus and Port Moresby, with participating HI4H Program Partners from Australia, NZ, the Donor Agency as well as co-sister program HI4H Vanuatu. Hook in4 Health includes all genders and abilities but has a several key objectives: ● To encourage youths to be engaged in physical activities by visiting schools and delivering hockey sessions ● Increase active participation for women and girls in all aspects of hockey. ● To provide more opportunities for people with a disability to be engaged in hockey. ● To provide health and nutrition education to participants to help them live well. ● To provide more opportunities for volunteers to be trained – coaches, teachers, umpires, officials, and administrators so that they can learn well and lead well. Schools to visit: Lae: Primary Schools - Huonville, St Mary’s, St Paul’s (Cath), St Paul’s (Luth), Markham Road, Milfordhaven, Secondary Schools - Bugandi, Lae Sec, Malahang & Busu Kokopo: Primary Schools - RIS, Kabaleo, Kokopo, Kalamanagunan, Raluana, Raburua, Malaguna - Secondary Schools - Kosec, OLSH, Donbosco, Malaguna Tech Manus: Primary Schools - Pombrut, Nuwok, L/East, Christian Acc, Naringel, Lobahan, Pisik, Manus Sec, Ecom, Papitlai

Police Commissioner David Manning said security has always been critical in the conduct of elections in Papua New Guinea. In light of an increased threat and risk assessment on counting centres in the highlands and parts of the coastal region, Mr Manning said the Joint Security Task Force for the 2022 National General Election has advised the PNG Electoral Commissioner, Mr Simon Sinai, to conduct counting as soon as security personnel are on the ground. He said the security forces are now being preoccupied with the extension of polling in various parts of the highlands due to election related violence. He said it is only sensible then for the PNGEC to assess the situation in light of that and make its decision accordingly. “To proceed to count without the presence of adequate security personnel will be at the risk of the Electoral Commissioner and his officers,” Mr Manning said.

Ireland made history last weekend when they won their first Test against the All Blacks in New Zealand, and they’ve done it again with a 32-22 win at Sky Stadium to seal a famous series win. Andy Farrell’s men led 22-3 at half-time and while the All Blacks closed to within three points in the 60th minute, Rob Herring's try put the result beyond doubt. The defeat leaves Ian Foster’s grip on the All Blacks coaching job in major doubt. Saturday’s defeat was the All Blacks’ fourth from their past five Tests under Foster, who was promoted from assistant coach when Steve Hansen stood down following the 2019 World Cup. Foster edged out three-time Super Rugby winner Scott Robertson for the role, but the calls are becoming deafening for him to take over after leading the Crusaders to their sixth straight title in June. The All Blacks had a majority of possession in the opening term, but the visitors were far more clinical with their opportunities with the ball. For the third straight Test the Irish struck first. World class flanker Josh van der Flier scored in the fourth minute from a rolling maul. The All Blacks had chances, but couldn’t make the most of their early opportunities including an early shot at goals from Jordie Barrett. Eventually the fullback struck back, as Sam Cane opted for another shot at goals in front of the sticks and this time Barrett made no mistakes. New Zealand-born winger James Lowe played a crucial part in Ireland’s second try of the decider. Lowe combined brilliantly with former Junior Wallaby Mack Hansen and broke down the left edge, before a brilliant no-look pass sent fullback Hugo Keenan over for a five-pointer. Flyhalf Johnny Sexton converted a long-range penalty goal shortly after to extend their lead to 15-3. But Ireland weren’t done, with some Bundee Aki brilliance sending midfielder partner Robbie Henshaw over for a score in the dying stages of the half. As expected the All Blacks rallied after half-time. No.8 Ardie Savea fought his way to the try-line for a crucial score early-on after having had his hands on the ball at least three times in the lead-up to the score. The game took another twist when Irish front-rower Andrew Porter was shown a yellow card for a front-on head clash with All Blacks lock Brodie Retaliick. The incident was very similar to the red card that was shown to Angus Ta’avao, but experienced referee Wayne Barnes instead settled on hanging the Irish prop a yellow card. New Zealand made the most of Ireland’s discipline, with referee Wayne Barnes showing Irish prop Andrew Porter a yellow card. When Savea’s back-row teammate Akira Ioane crossed it looked the kings of comeback rugby were coming home with a wet sail. A penalty to Johnny Sexton in the 56th minute stopped the bleeding. But when flying winger Will Jordan ran 75 metres to score an epic try the Wellington crowd burst into a frenzy. The belief was well and truly alive for All Blacks fans. Ireland replacement Herring, however, stopped the party in New Zealand’s capital as he helped the visitors extend their lead to 10-points, with time very quickly becoming the home side’s worst enemy. Despite the relentless attack of the All Blacks in the dying stages, Ireland had an answer for everything, and held on for a famous win. Source: Foxsports.com.au

Prime Minister James Marape has condemned in the strongest terms the violence being perpetrated upon government and public property in certain areas of the country while stressing that these incidents are being turned over to police to investigate and bring to justice those responsible, including candidates.The Prime Minister also said he was in the process of putting out an added 500 police and army personnel to hotspot areas to further protect key institutions, sites, assets, and government and public property such as Porgera, Hides, Kutubu and other key installations.“The Police Commissioner has been given instruction to follow this through. We will not brush aside these acts under the cover of election to be treated lightly. We will work on every evidence, including social media postings, case-by-case, and electorate-by-electorate. You cannot break the law and live in our country, whether you are a candidate, sitting MP, supporter or an electoral staff member,” said PM Marape.“I want to warn candidates across the country to control your supporters. Control your villages. Control the areas of influence you come from in the country. You are contesting to show leadership; you are not contesting to demonstrate frustration, to break laws, to become warlords, thugs and criminals.“We have given instruction to Police to compile evidence on every incident of law breaking in the country related to these elections.”PM Marape said these acts of violence upon government and public property is going to cost the nation more money, money the country does not have at the moment as it tries to recover from its current financial woes.“I warn our people involved in these criminal activities that police will be dealing with you even after the elections. We will work on cases and prosecute those who are found to have caused arson, destruction and illegal activities.“Law and order during elections starts with us leaders who are contesting. If we encourage our supporters to break the law then we are not qualified as leaders in the first place. I direct all candidates – if you are encouraging your supporters to hold guns, to fight, to be arsonists and cause destruction, you are not qualified to be a leader in the first instance. You are a criminal!“For the areas involved in these activities, you do not deserve to lobby for roads, hospitals and schools. Schools are meant to benefit our children. We contest elections to deliver these very services and to see candidates involved directly or indirectly in the burning of such public institutions and utilities is very disturbing.“I condemn in the highest those who torch schools and public properties.”PM Marape said if his government returns to power, he would fund Police and personally see to it that investigations are carried out into these violent acts, and arrests made starting with the responsible candidate.“This will be the way to go without fear or favour. If you are a candidate and if you don’t control violence and violence has started on your side, you will be the reference point from which Police will begin their investigations. This is going to happen after the dust has settled after the 2022 National General Elections.“I remind all candidate, in the little time left in the polling and counting, to contain and control your supporters. Otherwise, you are accessory to all these criminal activities,” said PM Marape.

Police Commissioner David Manning has warned that he will recommend to the PNG Electoral Commission to declare failed elections for the Enga Province if the violence, death and destruction continues. Commissioner Manning made this remark following an upsurge in lawlessness within the last 72 hours in parts of the Enga Province. Mr Manning said a joint task force comprising of military and police personnel will be established and inserted into the Enga Province at the earliest to restore law and order. The Commissioner also announced that 15 candidates of the various seats within the Enga Province in the 2022 National General Election are currently being investigated for their role in the election related violence. “Someone must be held responsible for the death and destruction in the Enga Province. These candidates, these so-called leaders, were silent when the death and destruction began and have remained silent since. God help us if this is the calibre of the “leadership” that is being put forward for the people of Enga,” said Commissioner Manning who has been in the Highlands region since day one of polling. Mr Manning said, “The situation in Enga Province is very serious and I have grave concerns for the lives of many innocent people there who have become victims of barbaric and animalistic attacks. “I have always maintained that the electoral process must be jointly delivered in partnership with the people. Unfortunately, certain candidates do not think this is the way the elections should be delivered. “Reading through the reports on the situation on the ground it is frustrating and sickening to note that known candidates and their supporters have deliberately attacked opposing candidates and their supporters to influence a favourable outcome. “To think that these candidates are considered to be highly educated and have successful careers, married and have children of their own condone such violent acts by their tribesmen and supporters is sickening. “These so-called elites of the province despite their degrees are nothing but highly educated people with questionable morals. We have a saying in many parts of the country with different versions depending where you are, ‘Mango diwai save karim mango, kapiak save karim kapiak’, a law-abiding upstanding citizen would not allow criminals to act on his/her behalf to better their chances of winning elections, similarly a citizen who resorts and supports illegal means of getting what he/she wants will never solicit the support of law-abiding citizens to carry out their criminal activities. “I have conveyed my concerns to the Prime Minister as well as the Chief of the PNG Defence Force, and we have resolved to establish a separate multi-Taskforce to enforce the rule of law in Enga immediately and to also secure the Porgera mine. “The situation in Enga is no ordinary law and order situation. Whilst many of the violent incidents are attributed to the elections there are sectors of the local communities in Enga that continue to engage in violent criminal activities pre-dating the elections and will continue throughout the election period and beyond. “It will be the Joint Task Force's primary objective to enforce the Rule of Law and respond appropriately where necessary to these individuals and/or groups. “Candidates who have employed the services of these criminals or have supported these activities will be apprehended and face the criminal justice system. “We are aware of at least 15 of these candidates who stood for elections in a number of electorates in Enga, and our Investigative Task Force (ITF) is compiling reports and statements at this time. “This will allow for search warrants to be applied for on their persons, known associates, financial assets, and material property and if need be, arrest warrants. “We are not time bound by the elections. If these candidates think that we are, then they are sadly misinformed. We plan to have this Taskforce deployed in stages over the coming days.” Updates from various parts of the Enga province over the last 72 hours shows an unprecedented level of violence, death and destruction of private and public property. In the Kompiam-Ambum electorate, four bridges on the Wabag-Kompiam road were destroyed. Government installations including schools were also destroyed. There are also unconfirmed reports of widespread killings. There is confirmed destruction of village homes and livestock and continuous tribal fighting between rival candidates. For the election, despite efforts of the Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) Air Ops only a limited number of boxes were able to be collected from Kompiam and extracted to Hagen. All other boxes for the electorate that were extracted by road are currently being stored at the main storage containers in Wabag town. The Kompiam Returning Officer and his officials were on hand and were involved in assisting the extraction of the boxes from Kompiam and delivered to Hagen. All other remaining boxes not extracted will be left to the Returning Officer and Electoral Manager to decide as to what options to take. In the Laiagam electorate a major national road was destroyed. Culverts were destroyed, trenches three-meter wide and six-meter-deep were dug on the Surunki Section of the Wabag-Porgera Road. There were sporadic attacks on government security forces throughout the polling period and continuous tribal fighting between rival candidates. There were also unconfirmed reports of killings. The road from Porgera via Wabag has been cut off. Certain boxes were unable to be inserted into designated polling areas in Laiagam during the polling period due to rival candidates clashing in those areas. The Returning Officer and the Provincial Election Manager will make representation to the PNGEC as to what can be done. All remaining polled boxes were retrieved and have been securely stored in Wabag. In Porgera there was destruction of schools and teachers’ homes, shops and various other buildings in and around Paiam Station. Tribal clashes continue between rival candidates. Unconfirmed reports of killings. Enga Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent George Kakas led a team by road through Southern Highlands to Porgera to extract polled Ballot Boxes. The Ballot Boxes for Paiyela were unpolled and were also retrieved and brought back to Wabag. In the Wabag electorate, all boxes that were in Maramuni were safely extracted and are securely stored in Hagen after the use of Wapenamanda Airport was discontinued. Issues relating to the threat and risk assessment of counting has been assessed and recommendations for the counting of votes of specific electorates from Enga has been relayed to the Enga Provincial Election Steering Committee and the PNG Electoral Commissioner. The key recommendation is to count these two electorates outside of the Enga Province. Meanwhile, the Police Commissioner said in light of an increased threat and risk assessment on counting centres in the highlands and parts of the coastal region, the Joint Security Task Force for the 2022 National General Election has advised the PNG Electoral Commissioner, Mr Simon Sinai, to conduct counting as soon as security personnel are on the ground. “To proceed to count without the presence of adequate security personnel will be at the risk of the Electoral Commissioner and his officers,” Mr Manning said.

Thirteen suspects were arrested and charged for being in possession of an offensive weapon, an industrial catapult made from steel capable of projecting metal ballistic arrows, and police uniforms (field gear) at Koare village in the Southern Highlands Province last week. Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Police Operations Mr Anton Billie confirmed that one female was among the 12 male suspects involved in the incident. He said the police reports confirmed that the suspects were travelling in a Toyota Land Cruiser, Trooper, white in color bearing registration number BEJ 331 when arrested. Members of the Quick Response Force (QRF) for the 2022 National General Election Joint Security Task Force stopped and searched the vehicle and its passengers and discovered the weapon and the field gears. Mr Billie said the uniforms are believed to have been issued to a police officer who is based at the Waigani Police Station in the National Capital district. The police officer will be brought in for questioning Mr Billie said.

Counting for the two seats of the Manus province began on Friday and continued over the weekend without any major incidents, says Manus Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Kiweri Kesambi. “I am relieved that our polling was completed in time and we are now going into vote counting with no election related violence so far,” said PPC Kesambi. He urged the people of Manus to continue maintaining the good behavior until the return of writs. Polling for Manus Province ended on Thursday 14 July 2022 when the ballot boxes from the three remaining Local Level Governments (LLGs) were brought into Lorengau and locked away in the Manus Provincial Police Headquarters. Counting began on Friday, continues today and is expected to take up this week. Mr Kesambi said the last three LLGs, Aua Vuvulu, Nigoherm and Bisakani, are all rural LLGs. He said the ballot boxes for Nigoherm and Aua Vuvulu along with the polling officials and the security personnel were transported by the navy ship HMPNGS Ted Diro and arrived at the Lombrum Naval Base at 5.30am on Thursday. They were received by election officials and members of the security forces escorted the ballot boxes to the Police Headquarters. Meanwhile Bisakani LLG brought their ballot boxes into Lorengau Town by smaller boats with the escort of the security forces.

Prime Minister James Marape had a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji Voreqe Josaia Bainimarama on the margins of the 51st Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji. PM Bainimarama thanked PM Marape for making time to attend the PIF saying it showed his commitment and cause to the wider regional family. PM Bainimarama also congratulated PM Marape on his re-election as the Member for Tari-Pori in this year’s PNG National General Elections. PM Bainimarama congratulated PM Marape for successfully handing over the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Chair to Vanuatu. He reiterated what he mentioned in the Special MSG Leaders’ Summit that sub-regional arrangements like the MSG Free Trade Agreement could assist in strengthening economic recovery efforts. PM Marape conveyed his appreciation to PM Bainimarama for hosting him and his delegation for this 51st PIF. He reassured PM Bainimarama of his full support in the face of several challenges to the region, including climate change. PM Marape maintained that the bilateral relations between PNG and Fiji extended from a long and rich history. He commented that there was a noted growing amount of PNG investments in Fiji and looked forward to seeing this part of the bilateral relationship grow. In reference to the Suva Agreement, PM Marape raised his concern at the withdrawal of Kiribati from the PIF and enquired as to the number of members that have signed on to the agreement. PM Bainimarama informed that most Forum Leaders had signed onto the Suva Agreement except for PNG, Kiribati and Nauru. Nauru had requested to sign the document last, given the spread of COVID-19 pandemic on the island and the lock-uo in place. He said the Suva Agreement would address the political impasse currently between the Forum Leaders and the Micronesian Member States. In this regard, PM Marape re-affirmed to regional solidarity, assured PM Bainimarama of PNG’s support and signed the Suva Agreement in the meeting.

Appreciating farming as a sustainable and viable business practice is the message from PNG Agriculture Company’s PNG Agbook who are partners with the UNCDF in the EU Funded Joint STREIT PNG Programme. PNG Agbook working with the PNG Cocoa Board, organized two sets of trainings for rural farmers in the Sepik region of Papua New Guinea. A total of 23 farmers who represented farmer groups and agribusinesses in the Sandaun and East Sepik provinces were eager participants in the trainings conducted recently over a two-week period at the PNG Cocoa Board nursery site in Hawain, Wewak District, East Sepik Province. Facilitating the sessions was owner and Managing Director of PNG Agbook Company, Ms Nicole Isifu, a committed young woman inspired to challenge existing farming practices and to drive an increase in more active youth participation in agriculture – as entrepreneurs rather than as part-timers and labourers. The first module was on ‘financial literacy’ while the second session focused on ‘farming as a business’. Two participants manual booklets with simple instructions on topics covered in the sessions were also given to participants to take home and read at their own time. Farming as a Business Manual contains topics like Basics of Money, Financial Fitness, Savings, Budgeting and Borrowing. While the Farm Business Plan booklet contains subjects like Farm Production Plan, Market Plan, Farm Business Profitability and Managing Risks. “While farming provides a means for meeting household subsistence needs, the rationale is to add value out of this practice that must be business like and this is where financial literacy knowledge and farm management skills are crucial and necessary for rural communities in realizing the value  of agriculture  for an improved income and sustainable participation and living,” explained the EU Funded UN Joint STREIT Programme Coordinator Dr Xuebing Sun. The participants also benefitted from the presence of three other UNCDF financial institution partners under the EU Funded STREIT Programme. MiBank, WMBL (Mama Bank) and Cellmoni (Digicel) were invited to make special presentations to the farmers on their savings requirements, loan eligibility and the different products and services that are available to the three value chains.    The farmers attended as Trainers-of-Trainers and were expected to return to their clusters/groups to train other members including youths and women so this important knowledge to appreciate and practice farming as a business is passed on to others for a collective change in mindset by all in rural communities. For the participants, contents of the training were excellent and relevant to their household and farming needs where they can easily implement in their local areas. “We didn’t know how to save money with the bank so in times of need we can apply for small loans. If this training had come earlier, I think PNG would have change a lot,” said Xavier Kapia, a single male farmer from Mupa Cocoa Farming Group of Angoram District, East Sepik. “When I have a family, my children should not face the challenges of not completing their education just because of school fee problems. I will start saving now,” added Kapia who is still enjoying a young life. The training was beneficial to farmer groups as well to operate like a business. “With this financial literacy skills, we can now prepare proper documentations as one of the requirements of lending agencies to access small loans. My executives are village boys so I can go back and train them,” said Jimmy Makain, the Executive Officer of Wape Agriculture Marketing Group in the Lumi District of Sandaun Province. The group has a membership of 56 clusters comprising 1300 plus member farmers which includes youths and women from East and West Wape LLGs.   UNCDF partner under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, MiBank, opened 22 new accounts from this meeting, not only from the participants, but also from locals living within the vicinity of the training area. The UNCDF under EU-STREIT PNG and in collaboration with local partners support implementation of activities related to access finance, rural banking and cashless banking systems. The Programme also support financial literacy of the beneficiaries and an improved business environment. The EU-STREIT PNG, being implemented as a UN joint Programme (FAO as leading agency, and ILO, ITU, UNCDF and UNDP as implementing partners), is the largest grant-funded Programme of the European Union in the country and the Pacific region, which focuses on increasing sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas through Increasing the economic returns and opportunities from cocoa, vanilla and fishery value chains and strengthening and improving the efficiency of value chain enablers including the business environment and supporting sustainable, climate-proof transport and energy infrastructure development.

DAY 5, final day of the WPQ and we have our first winner. Miss Pauline Hyun, champion of the 14 Girls event. She beat Ashanti Ligo of Vanuatu 6-3,6-2 to claim 1st place in the West Pacific Region. Congratulations Pauline and let’s go Team PNG. Michaela Mesa & Christopher Kaiulo will fight for the 3rd position in their respective age group later today. [caption id="attachment_23887" align="alignnone" width="768"] (Right) Pauline Hyun and Vanuatu's Ashanti Ligo[/caption] Source: PNG Tennis Association

Further to the previous notice on the 13th of July 202, the polling for Western Highlands Province, and Simbu Province has being deferred to to Monday 18th July 2022. This is to allow ample time for preparations on the ground to be done accordingly so polling is conducted smoothly within the gazette period. All polling across the country will end on 19th July 2022. The decision has been made after consultation with Electoral Commission Officers and security personals on the ground. Polling for Jiwaka will proceed as scheduled for this Friday 15 July 2022. All voters within this concerned provinces are to take heed of this and prepare according.  

The SP PNG Hunters will play host to the Central Queensland Capras this Sunday, 17th July at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay in Round 15 of the QRL Hostplus Cup. The Hunters will ride a wave of confidence into this weekend’s contest, having produced their best performance of the season last week against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls to win 36-22. There were some notable changes to the Hunters’ squad who won that game – namely a new halves pairing of Kingstimer Paraia and Judah Rimbu, and skipper Keven Appo’s move from edge forward to lock – but the most significant difference between the Hunters’ of Round 14 and the 2022 season as a whole was their intent and aggression on both sides of the ball. The stats from that game make for interesting reading. The Seagulls spent more time in possession, took more runs and missed less tackles than the Hunters yet both sides were evenly matched in yardage. Wynnum clocked just 30 additional running metres across the 80 minutes despite enjoying the bulk of possession, as they spent much of their time working off their own try line thanks to the kicking game of Rimbu and Paraia for the Hunters. Completing at 82% - a vast improvement from their season average of 69% - allowed the Hunters to build pressure and play the game down Wynnum Manly’s end. It doesn’t show on the stats sheet, but the confidence and momentum the Hunters created with their kicking game flowed into how they used the ball in attack. It’s no coincidence that one of the Hunters’ better attacking performance of the season coincided with a dominate defensive display. The other thing that doesn’t translate onto the stats sheet is the force of contact the Hunters applied on both sides of the ball. In true PNG fashion, the Hunters’ front-loaded their defensive efforts to dominate Seagulls’ ball carriers around the ruck. Sylvester Namo, Dilbert Issac and Keven Appo led the Hunters’ line speed all game and consistently won the tackle to put Wynnum Manly on their backs in yardage sets. This was backed up in attack as the Hunters constantly bent the line to post-contact metres and generate ruck speed for their team. It's a blueprint for success for the SP PNG Hunters in 2022 and now the challenge is to back it up against another top four side this week in the CQ Capras. The Capras leaped to third place on the QRL ladder last week following the Hunters’ win over Wynnum Manly and on the back of their own narrow win over the Sunshine Coast Falcons. A two point margin was all that separated the Falcons and Capras when the siren sounded in Round 14, with Yee-Huang Tonumaipe’a scoring a late try for the Sunshine Coast as they threatened a comeback. That 22-20 win over the Falcons capped off a shaky month of football for the Capras, who also managed a close win over the Blackhawks in Round 11 before drawing with Redcliffe in Round 12 and losing to Tweed in the following week. The Capras’ recent winning record is a far cry from their 4-and-0 start to the season, which included a 26-16 win over the Hunters in Round 2 at Browne Park. Given the improvements the Hunters have shown since that game and their form in Round 14, the PNG side will be every chance of turning the tables and exacting revenge on the Capras this weekend at Bycroft Oval.