Aaron Bara Pitaqae has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Government has announced on Tuesday.
He replaced Dr Cedric Alependava whose contract has come to an end.
Mr. Pitaqae is no stranger to the Ministry, having served in several senior leadership roles, including Deputy Secretary and Director of Research, Policy Planning and Information.
He had decades of experience in public service, education, planning, and social sector development.
His appointment reflects continuity, institutional knowledge, and a strong commitment to advancing the Ministry’s mandate to promote gender equality, protect children and families, and empower women and youth across the country.
A seasoned public servant, Mr. Pitaqae has held senior positions within the Solomon Islands Government, including Chief Planning Officer in the Social Sector Division at the Ministry of Development Planning and Aid Coordination.
His career also spans the education sector, where he served as a senior secondary school teacher, head of department, and local tutor with the University of the South Pacific, contributing to human capital development at both secondary and tertiary levels.
Mr. Pitaqae holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wollongong in Australia, along with Bachelor’s Degrees in Arts, Management and Public Administration, Sociology, and a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of the South Pacific.
His academic background is complemented by professional training in project management, monitoring and evaluation, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and gender statistics.
In addition to his professional career, Mr. Pitaqae has been actively involved in community and civic leadership, serving in various capacities within tribal development committees, alumni associations, and civil society groups, reflecting his long-standing advocacy for education, social responsibility, and community development.
As Permanent Secretary, Mr. Pitaqae is expected to provide strategic leadership to strengthen policy implementation, service delivery, and coordination across government and development partners, in line with national priorities and the Government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
The Government has expressed confidence that Mr. Pitaqae’s experience, leadership, and deep understanding of the social sector will further strengthen the Ministry’s efforts to improve the wellbeing of women, youth, children, and families throughout Solomon Islands.
– Govt Com Unit
