Into Melanesian minefield

Foreign Ministers of the Melanesian Spearhead Group are set to tip-toe through a diplomatic minefield with news that a MSG delegation – led by Fiji’s Ratu Inoke Kubuabola – will make its long-awaited visit to the Indonesian province of West Papua this week. The mission is fraught with potential difficulty and will require all the…

What’s next for Papua after the MSG diplomacy?

The 2013 Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) summit undoubtedly marked a historic moment on the long journey of Papua’s international diplomacy. During the top diplomatic gathering of the Melanesian countries, the Papuan representatives were invited for the first time. While this political decision constitutes a breakthrough for the political impasse in Jakarta, the decision is still pending…

Govt donates to St Paul Sulufou

Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga yesterday delivered a government donation of $20,000 to St. Paul’s Sulufou Church, North East Malaita. The donation was intended to assist the Anglican community on Sulufou to celebrate the opening of their newly built Church, which was consecrated on December 28th 2013. The Deputy Prime Minister was invited to the…

Shaggy heading here

International artist SHAGGY is heading here next month, much to the excitement of his local fans. The Heritage Park Hotel has officially announced on Friday, that  they were bringing in the Jamaican-American reggae-pop and rapper singer to Honiara. Shaggy, whose real name was Orville Richard Burrell, was born on 22 October 1968. He was better…

Let’s build on what RAMSI gives

THE Governor General during his New Year’s message reminded us of the vulnerability state institutions are in. The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has resuscitated our failed state back to its feet. The description of ‘fail state’ came about as a result of dysfunctional institutions within the machinery of the National Government.…

Let’s avoid last year’s failures

WE know too well some of the drama that happened last year. One of the issues that affected everyone including children, youths, parents and families was the teachers’ industrial strike action. That particular impasse greatly affected school children. A good portion of the academic year was useless. It can’t be wrong, some students who deserve…

New church opens on Vella

THE MONTH of December was a time of Christmas celebration to mark the birth of our saviour Jesus Christ in the Christian calendar. Thursday 19th December 2013 marked a historic event at Sibilado village in north Vella La Vella, Western Province. A new 500-seat church building was dedicated and officially opened. The opening service was…