Lekmak

12/03/2024

Sylvester Gawi writes...
Peace and good order are key ingredients in prosperity of a society. Without peace there’s no communication, education, health, economic empowerment and most importantly unison in service delivery.

When people stand together, they achieve greater positive results for maximum communal benefit. Imagine establishing a school, health or market facility at a place where there’s ongoing fighting, petty crimes, alcohol and drug abuse etc.? None of these facilities will be conducive and operational when public servants are attacked, women and girls are abused and the vulnerable are living in fear.

Twenty years ago, Lae City has been the crime capital of PNG. From daily occurrences of armed robbery to ethnic clashes, the ever growing influx of people and

11/03/2024

09/03/2024

The shortage of institutional housing at the existing barracks forced the families to seek this alternative. For many of the policemen and women, they can’t afford to pay rent on their current salaries.
And… many have opted to live here because of security concerns for their families and themselves.

Flavia Marian and Roselyn Kolmal, are both wives of policemen don't have the benefit of police housing. They, and their husbands, are living in rundown

08/03/2024

"We have only two (operational) airstrips, so we can't fly supplies to all of them. At the moment, the aircraft is under maintenance, so the only way to get there is to walk. It is very tough country.”

Dr. Al Maha is Chief Executive of the Gulf Provincial Health Authority. He is the face of provincial health service delivery system. Since taking on top job in the PHA, he has been working to fix a backlog tasks in this beautiful logistically difficult province.

07/03/2024

Police housing, a long neglected problem. The RPNGC does not have a maintainence program for its existing houses.

Police personnel, entrust their welfare to the state when they sign an oath of service. This means the government is obliged to care for them, while they SERVE the state and the people

04/09/2023

Anslom bags two more American awards.

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Papua New Guinea reggae singer and songwriter, Anslom has bagged two more American music awards - weeks after winning The Band of Year award at the

02/09/2023

Dennis Miall: A teacher by profession for 31 years who committed 19 years of his teaching career to Lae School Boys Rugby League.

Click on the link to read more.

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However, his career priorities changed in 1992 at the age of 21. He taught in several schools around the country and later ended up in Lae where Lae School

29/08/2023

Aki Tumu was one of those people brought in from Madang when he was 20 years old by Dr. Paul Brennan (a linguist and the founder of Enga Cultural Center) in 1976.

The Center was opened to collect data and artifacts, and that was when he committed his years.

Enga's Take Anda Cultural Center and Art Gallery is a place full of knowledge of what Enga Province is; origin, traditional laws, customs, legends, and historical tales of trades, ancient wars, and their great feasts.

It's Art Gallery keeps Enga's iconic sand paintings ( colored sands are found in Enga Province where they've used to do paintings).

Aki is now 69-years-old and he still works at Enga's Take Anda Cultural Center.

Aki encourages that all provinces of Papua New Gunea should have a cultural center and art gallery because it's not late.

18/08/2023

Shout out to Lekmak newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

East Rile Benguma, Eunice Sangehuambu, Kata Knythß Ghøßt, Lua Joe Jnr, Økæy Fīve, Ben Wartovo, Dane Tee Gatana, Lavinia Boisen, Talaigu Mero, Fruanga Francis, Jnr Karii Pembu, Moxiix Verb, Wallī Bugī, Vagi Aga, Tehillah Igarobae, Jhvy Shvht Yorry, Hāh Wāñā

06/08/2023

Papua New Guinean reggae artist, Anslom has taken PNG reggae to a whole new level winning the Band of the year award at the 2023 International Singer-Songwriter’s Association (ISSA) Awards in Atlanta, USA. Anslom posted on his page after receiving the prize. This is the biggest international award received by a PNG reggae artist.Anslom and legendary producer, Emmanuel “Toxicmahn” Munganaua travelled to Atlanta on the back of a successful band tour in Vanuatu for the country’s independence celebrations.

Papua New Guinean reggae artist, Anslom has taken PNG reggae to a whole new level winning the Band of the year award at the 2023 International

05/08/2023

Commercial deep sea mining is likely to start there soon as the International Seabed Authority — the governing body under the UN Convention Law of the Sea — will finalise deep sea mining regulations in July.
We debunk some deep sea mining myths to better anticipate what is coming next.

Commercial deep sea mining is likely to start there soon as the International Seabed Authority — the governing body under the UN Convention Law of the Sea — will finalise deep sea mining regulations in July. We debunk some deep sea mining myths to better anticipate what is coming next.

05/08/2023

On 5 August, it will be ten years since the world was introduced to the first lab-grown burger.
A decade after its arrival, biotechnologist Professor Paul Wood answers eight key questions about cultured meat.
What is it?
Cultured meat, also colloquially referred to as lab-grown meat, is the concept of taking a biopsy from a living animal, selecting an individual cell type and growing these cells in large scale bioreactors.
Technically, it’s a viable alternative to growing an animal to maturity before harvesting meat from its carcass.
Multiple cell types can be used from animals, such as muscle, fat or fibroblasts.
The initial stage of cell selection requires the creation of a cell line which will grow continuously in a selective culture medium.
How long has it been around?

Cultured meat, also colloquially referred to as lab-grown meat, is the concept of taking a biopsy from a living animal, selecting an individual cell type and growing these cells in large scale bioreactors.

05/08/2023

Why is a review of policy and legislation necessary? The stats speak loudly!
Papua New Guinea faces formidable challenges.
The country’s systems need to adjust from to cater for a population that has more than quadrupled over 40 years from 2 million in the 1970s to more than 10 million people in 2003. By 2030, the projected population will be close to 13 million.
The NDOH’s 2020 figures show that more than 300,000 babies were born in that year. More than one million children were under five-years-old and there there 2.2 million women of reproductive age.
There is a burgeoning youth population on one end of the spectrum and a growing aging population on the other. There is high mortality and morbidity from non-communicable diseases. Along with bigger incomes and easier access to sugar, cheap food and alcohol, there has been a noticeable rise in obesity, heart attacks and other lifestyle diseases.
Those are just some of the challenges the policy development team is confronting.

In a small conference room at the Headquarters of the National Department of Health (NDOH) in Port Moresby, a group of Papua New Guinean public health

27/06/2023

The Eastern Highlands Cultural Centre is in need of help. It is a vital piece of Eastern Highlands tourism that has been neglected. It is one of the few places where rugs are made by hand. It needs government attention and good management.

Its page says: "The centre was a initiative of the members of the Highlands Farmers and Settlers Association and the efforts and hard work of Muriel Larner who saw the successful construction and the management and operations. Its purpose is to promote the arts, cultures and history of EHP, particularly the surrounding districts. They operate pottery, weaving and screen printing and other artefacts and crafts."

27/06/2023

Construction on the Kassam Pass began in 1952. At the time, there were few roads in the Eastern Highlands. Ian Downs, who was the new Eastern Highlands District Commissioner convinced Administrator, Brigadier Don Cleland that he could have a road built by July the following year. A 20-year-old kiap, Rupe Havilland, led a team of workmen and police in constructing the pass. You can read more here on Keith Jackson's PNG Attitude. https://www.pngattitude.com/2018/08/how-the-impossible-kassam-pass-was-opened-in-july-1953.html

26/06/2023

Malaysia has serious problems with TikTok from ethno-religious tensions to the use of the app in influencing elections. Time appears to be running out for the social media app.

TikTok and its influence on elections and racial tensions has drawn attention from Malaysian authorities. Time is ticking for the app.

26/06/2023

In the lead up to International Reggae Day on 1st July, we are publishing a series of reggae themed articles to spread the positivity. This one is by radio host and reggae ambassador, Jivahnnah Thavala.

Reggae music has influenced societies throughout the world, contributed to development of movements and still has a major impact on people through positive advocacy on social issues.

25/06/2023

This is the last of a three part special report on the plight of a PNG woman, Bertha Ngahan, living with cancer and having to contend with a dysfunctional health system and high costs of drugs in Papua New Guinea.

Cancer affects family members as much as it does the patient. As much as possible, Bertha did not want her family’s focus to shift solely to her when she was living with cancer.

22/06/2023

Bertha's battle with breast cancer - Part 2: Conflicting advice from doctors and high cost of drugs

This is the second of a three part special report on the plight of a PNG woman having to contend with a dysfunctional health system and high costs of drugs in Papua New Guinea.

Bertha’s battle with breast cancer is part 2 of three part special report on the plight of a PNG woman having to contend with a dysfunctional health

21/06/2023

Shout out to newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Thank you for supporting Lekmak

Leonard Tainole, Mikə Đu, Åbbe Sūļļ, Jodie Aihi, Çãptâïñ Mørêßby, Peter Akunafi, Kezzii Ray, Sedrick Hanzex, Ophan Phimz Nasha, Leokadia Will, Cannute Omararie Nasie, Tiamarie Alegele Kaebikae, Rëb Børn, Soctinec Malakhu, Nethie Augie, Ræcky Wah, Yvonne Puy, Kam Wara Hap, Ipili Nane, Daniella Suat, Pæpü Pïţž Hfłý, Edward Wama Hasima, Junior Valaun, Jun Jun Raimbuse, Francis Tarere, Na Sty, Sopodalagi Kulex Naewela, Kenneth Wari, Bamsuwok Mahn, Kāñākā Belong West Grāphíç, To Dan, Priscilla Vaongo, Jeph Gwabiru, Lia Rome, Jnr Joe, Brennon Kambo, Craft Man, Sanii Shide II, Lynne Joy Stanley Mokuta, Nl NA NE, David K Danga Jnr, Ray Ndu, Gãk Køndãii, Konial Awari, Melchior Yiyiri, Jimi Kave, Foreign Waif, Ekari Pale,

21/06/2023

"Bertha's battle with breast cancer" is a three part special report on the plight of a PNG woman having to contend with a dysfunctional health system and high costs of drugs in Papua New Guinea.

Bertha's battle with breast cancer is a three part special report on the plight of a PNG woman having to contend with a dysfunctional health system and high

17/06/2023

Langima, Menyama District. Old pictures but still good. Langima possess all the the charm of a rural outstation in Papua New Guinea conveying a serene nostalgic loneliness.

16/06/2023

Our job is to inspire!

At Lekmak, we believe in the power of community journalism. Our team is dedicated to bringing you the best stories from Papua New Guinea, giving voice to local perspectives and ideas. We encourage PNG stories from your perspective.

We may not have the latest. That is not the primary purpose of our existence. But we will examine issues and tell you what we think.

We also acknowledge our elders and knowledge keepers and recognise the value of traditional knowledge and preserving it for the future. Through our work, we support efforts to keep this knowledge alive, ensuring that Papua New Guinea’s unique cultural heritage continues to thrive.

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LEKMAK means 'footprint' in Tok Pisin | News & Commentary from Papua New Guinea

15/06/2023

The Bougainville Affairs Minister, Manaseh Makiba, has less than six months to present to Parliament a way forward for the Bougainville ratification. In short that means, agreeing on a process or treaty that will see Bougainville move towards independence. Both the PNG and Bougainville sides do not really know at this stage, what form the ratification process will take. This has been a point of contention between the two negotiating sides. Also obvious is what being described as a “procedural gap” or a lack of clarity on how to proceed towards ratification by parliament. Both sides are breaking new ground in the refining of the PNG constitution and the development of a new country.

Papua New Guinea parliament has less than six months to move towards voting on Bougainville's independence.

10/06/2023

He is a chef with a simple mission: Get PNG food on menus of the biggest culinary capitals of the world…And he’s starting small with market kaikai found everywhere in Papua New Guinea.

...And he’s starting small with market kaikai found everywhere in Papua New Guinea. Donald David, known on Facebook as Tolai Chef, began cooking at Rapopo

09/06/2023

State Enterprises Minister, William Duma, has outlined plans to reduce flight cancellations and replace Air Niugini’s fleet of aged aircraft as the country struggles with frustrating flight delays every day. Duma told parliament that Air Niugini has bought four used Dash 8 Q400 turboprops, which will arrive at the end of this month and in July. The purchase will be funded from Air Niugini’s internal cash flow.

Air Niugini has bought four used Dash 8 Q400 turboprops, which will arrive at the end of this month and in July.

08/06/2023

An interactive map showing the global weapons trade.

International relations pundits, who like to scent the air for the winds of change, will have their senses tuned to the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty Conference starting August 22 in Geneva.

08/06/2023

Parliament has formalized the redistribution of a portion of Goods and Services tax (GST) to city authorities in Papua New Guinea in a move aimed at ensuring that the authorities are better funded.

Parliament has formalized the redistribution of a portion of Goods and Services tax (GST) to city authorities in Papua New Guinea in a move aimed at ensuring

08/06/2023

As Prime Minister, James Marape doesn’t have to endure the proverbial ‘diwai kros’ of flight delays that us common folk have to bear. Of course, he, as the PM, has the big responsibility to run the country. He has PM's Kumul Balus which is paid for by our money. But if the PM and his cabinet are able to travel with efficiency, we want the same too.
We demand the same efficiency.

As Prime Minister, James Marape doesn’t have to endure the proverbial ‘diwai kros’ of flight delays that us common folk have to bear.

06/06/2023

Indonesian President to visit in July.
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The one-day visit is scheduled for July 6 and comes after of Marape's own state visit to Indonesia in March 2022.