By Meleasie Goviro – EM TV News, Port Moresby
While the ACP leaders gathered for the 8th ACP Summit, a few of their spouses took the opportunity to experience a glimpse of PNG in Port Moresby.
In particular, a group of women comprised of delegates wives visited a mini art and craft market facilitated by the PNG Women in Business Foundation (PNGWIB) at Holiday Inn’s Cassowary Park.
Although the market was set up at short notice, the PNG Women in Business Foundation made an effort to create a marvelous display of handicrafts for the spouses of ACP leaders attending the ACP summit; three of which were present at yesterday’s event.
Wife of St. Vincent and Grenadine’s Prime Minister, Eloise Gonsalves, and Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s wife, Emmy Sogavore, accompanied by their host, graced the women’s craft market with their presence.
The wives marveled at the women’s “creative” artwork as they went.
Madam Sogavore spoke for the women saying it was an enjoyable and inspiring tour.
“The ladies are very creative in designing some of the artifacts they did and as one of the Prime Ministers spouses I am so thankful (for the experience)”
Wife of PNG Prime Minister, Lynda Babao-O’Neill, said the experience was a chance to provide the visitors with a glimpse of Papua New Guinea.
“Many of our spouses are here in Port Moresby alone and Port Moresby is not a very good reflection of our beautiful country as a whole. So what we tried to do is make sure there were events that gave a snapshot of what Papua New Guinea is really like.”
In the past two days, she said the women were taken to various places including beginning at the parliament to give them more insight of our culture.
“We started off at the Nature Park, talk about Conservation and our wildlife, it really brought to life what Papua New Guinea really is; some of our cultures our traditions, our food. The following day we went to the National Museum to give more insight into our cultur and then the beautiful parliament which incorporated all our cultures.
Wives of leaders of Tuvalu, Gabon and Zimbabwe who’d toured with them had to travel back to their home countries yesterday.
