As Papua New Guinea (PNG) approaches its 50th anniversary of independence, respected national leader and former Finance Minister Bart Philemon offers a sobering yet hopeful reflection on the country's journey. With decades of experience in governance and economic management, Philemon’s insights present a powerful call to action for the nation’s future.
A Dream Deferred
When PNG gained independence in 1975, the vision was clear: a self-reliant, prosperous nation ranking among the world’s developed economies. Yet, as Philemon candidly observes, this dream remains unfulfilled. Despite abundant natural resources and billions of kina in revenue from mining, oil, and gas, the country has not translated its wealth into sustainable development. Infrastructure, healthcare, education, and agriculture—sectors vital for national progress—have instead deteriorated.
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| Bart Philemon |
Philemon attributes this failure to one critical factor: leadership. “Leadership plays a crucial role in any development, including nation-building,” he asserts. “The quality of our leadership since 1975 has not been up to the standard needed to take us to the ‘promised land’ we envisioned at independence.”
Lessons from the World: Botswana and Singapore
Drawing comparisons with Botswana and Singapore—nations that transformed themselves from poverty-stricken states into economic powerhouses—Philemon highlights the importance of leadership grounded in international-standard education. Botswana, which had little to offer at independence in 1966, is now among Africa’s most stable and prosperous nations, boasting an income per capita close to US$20,000. Singapore, led by Oxford-educated Lee Kuan Yew, is now a global economic hub, standing on par with the United States in terms of development.
In stark contrast, PNG’s income per capita hovers below US$3,000. The difference, Philemon argues, lies in the leadership’s ability to implement long-term, strategic development policies backed by world-class education.
The Education Crisis: A Roadblock to Progress
“Nothing will save Papua New Guinea unless we improve our education system,” Philemon warns. He reflects on his own experience in the colonial education system, which, despite its limitations, provided a higher standard of learning than what exists today. He believes that education should be PNG’s foremost priority in the next 50 years.
The current system, he says, fails to equip young Papua New Guineans with the skills needed to compete globally. Yet, success stories exist—PNG pilots flying Airbus jets across the world demonstrate the potential of those who receive international-standard training. “Every Papua New Guinean is capable of achieving greatness,” Philemon states. “But we need to give them the right education first.”
A Broken System: Where Is the Money Going?
Despite a national budget nearing K30 billion, Philemon questions why essential services remain underfunded. In 2021, PNG’s internal revenue was K11 billion, yet K5 billion—nearly half—was spent on public service wages for 155,000 government employees. The result, he argues, is an inefficient bureaucracy that consumes national wealth without delivering tangible benefits to the people.
Rural health facilities lack basic medicine, roads are crumbling, and agricultural development has stagnated. “We must ask ourselves: where is all the money going?” Philemon challenges.
The Way Forward: A Call for Reform and Intervention
Philemon proposes a two-pronged solution: urgent educational reform and external expertise. He points to his tenure as Finance Minister in 2003, when he sought Australian assistance to improve PNG’s financial management. With 22 Australian Treasury officials working alongside local counterparts, PNG achieved its best economic performance in decades.
He believes the same model should be applied across government departments. “We need outside intervention in key areas. We cannot fix PNG alone; we need help,” he asserts.
A Nation at a Turning Point
As PNG stands at the crossroads of history, Philemon’s message is both a stark warning and an urgent call to action. The next 50 years will determine whether the nation rises to fulfill its potential or continues down a path of stagnation.
The choice, he says, is clear: “We must stop dreaming and start acting. The time for change is now.”
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