The People’s Progress Party is looking forward to a stronger future, it says, after the handover of the political reigns from founding leader Sir Julius Chan to Kavieng MP, Ben Micah.
This morning at the PPP convention, the former prime minister recounted the formative years of the party and how it played an important role, both internally and regionally.
A significant part of the handover involved the traditional exchange of gifts to cement exiting relationships.
Sir Julius is one of the few veterans of PNG politics still left after more than 40 years. Today marked a significant milestone in his career.
At the start of the PPP convention in Lae today, he handed over the reigns of a party he founded before Independence.
But the handover of leadership between two New Irelanders can mean a lengthy traditional ceremony involving shells, money and pigs.
In every government since Independence, the PPP has played an important role in government.
It has held the Prime Minister’s post and the deputy PM’s, along with various ministries. The Party is now looking at forging ahead as a stronger power in the coalition. How to do that will be discussed over the next two days.
While much of the focus has been on the new leadership, there is still tremendous respect from New Irelanders and other Papua New Guineans as well, for a man who stood with Somare when the first government was formed and the constitution written.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=D0F5vtCog8o%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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