Okapa has best coffee in PNG

Remote Okapa in Eastern Highlands has been rated as having the best coffee in Papua New Guinea.

Okapa’s Kanite Kirapim Association won the top accolade at the inaugural PNG Coffee Growers’ 

Winner Jonah Anagoh of Okapa’s Kanite Kirapim Association.

Cupping Competition awards night in Port Moresby on Friday after a hectic week of tasting 69 coffee samples from all over the country by an expert panel of five international and one local taster.

Tasters Rose Romalus from CIC, Juliana Nobre and KC Reynolds from Australia, and Adi Taroepratzeka and Ulden Banu from Indonesia with winner Jonah Anagoh of Okapa’s Kanite Kirapim Association.

 

 

Juliana Nobre and KC Reynolds from Australia, and Adi Taroepratzeka from Indonesia are showered with gifts from PNG coffee farmers. Nobre and Reynolds are wearing traditional rain capes from the remote Menyamya area of Morobe.

The tasters, who had to taste over 700 cups last week, were Marichi Clarke, Juliana Nobre and KC Reynolds from Australia, Adi Taroepratzeka and Ulden Banu from Indonesia, and Rose Romalus from PNG’s Coffee Industry Corporation.

 Winner Jonah Anagoh of Okapa’s Kanite Kirapim Association with the other four top prize winners and tasters on Friday night.

Hundreds of people including coffee growers, family members, and supporters of the industry packed the Gateway Hotel for the awards night.

Jonah Anagoh, who picked up the award for Okapa, said winning would certainly place this remote part of Eastern Highlands on the world map.

“We have come all the way from Okapa with our extension officers,” he said.

“It is a great honor to win this first-ever type of award for the coffee industry in PNG.

“I’m so happy for us people of Okapa to be recognised like this.

“We Okapa people are ‘bush’ people who work very hard in looking after our coffee.

“We are so proud that our coffee has been recognised as being the best in the country.

“I urge all coffee farmers in Okapa to continue working hard and to maintain the quality that we are renowned for.”

Reynolds, on behalf of the tasters, said they had discovered some “very beautiful coffees” during the week.

“We had a big task all week of tasting all 69 coffees and getting acquainted with the best of PNG coffee” she said.

“In total, we brewed and tasted 730 cups of coffee.

“As cuppers, our main focus is cup quality.”

Reynolds advised quality could be improved by not picking under-ripe cherry, drying properly, and proper fermentation.

However, she said they had discovered some “very great flavors”, which showed the quality of PNG coffee.

Tasters Rose Romalus from CIC, Juliana Nobre and KC Reynolds from Australia, and Adi Taroepratzeka and Ulden Banu from Indonesia.

“We found flavors of blueberry, wine, dark chocolate, cherry, milk, candy, melon, honey, lime, caramel, apple, grape, apricot, hazel nut, guava, hibiscus, mango, jelly, turmeric, and many, many more flavors,” Reynolds.

“This week, we not only had the chance to cup the coffee of PNG, we also had the chance to meet the people behind the coffee.”

K50 million claim By Opposition Leader - Chief Ombudsman not interested in investigating

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill   has raised concerns that the Ombudsman Commission will not investigate claims made by Opposition Leader Belden Namah that he spent K50 million on Members of Parliament in the 2012 election.
’Neill said Mr Namah himself had made the multimillion kina claim and it raises serious concerns that should be properly scrutinised. 

However, the Ombudsman Commission has responded by suggesting the matter should be considered by the Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates Commission.
In his correspondence with the Chief Ombudsman, the Prime Minister stated that the failure of the Ombudsman Commission to inquire into this claim “casts light on the fundamental question of fairness and impartiality on the part of the Commission.”
“This matter is the subject of great public interest, which warrants Ombudsman Commission investigation under the Leadership Code.
“The Ombudsman Commission should not simply ignore the public complaint, which has been lodged and refer it to another Authority for investigation.
Speaking after more recent correspondence from the Chief Ombudsman, the Prime Minister said he remains concerned at the lack of interest on the part of the Ombudsman Commission.
“The people of Papua New Guinea have legitimate questions that they would like answered,” PM O’Neill said.
“Where did Mr Namah get this K50 million?  He was not a successful businessman before he went into politics.
“Has he declared this K50 million and paid tax on it?
“Adherence to transparency is a responsibility of all holders of public office and this admission of questionable activity by the Leader of the Opposition needs to be fully investigated without fear or favour.”

Improving policing services for people of Manus

 Australian High Commission

 

New infrastructure for improving policing services for Manus is a step closer with a contract awarded for the designing a new Lorengau Police Station.

Papua New Guinean firm Alexander & Lloyd Pacific Ltd was selected through an international open tender to formulate a design for the Police Station, as part of a K5 million rebuilding project that will be funded by Australia.

Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Ms Deborah Stokes, said: “This new police station will boost the capacity of the local police to protect the people of Manus. It will demonstrate respect for the important work of the police and the commitment expected of the police in serving their community. It will also be easier for community members to approach police for information and assistance.”

 The design will include private interview rooms for people making complaints and safe facilities for people reporting family and sexual violence.

 After the design is completed, a further tender for construction to rebuild the Lorengau police station is expected to be issued in early 2015, with construction expected to commence mid-2015.

 The rebuilding of the police station will complement the PNG Government’s Police Modernisation Program, including the PNG Government’s investment in additional housing for police. This program seeks to build the professionalism and the enabling environment for PNG’s police personnel.

 The police station will be on top of the additional Australian support package to Manus valued at K65 million, which includes Lorengau Hospital, education infrastructure, Lorengau Market upgrade, community grants and private sector support.

Launch of the National TB Awareness Campaign

Prime Minister O'Neill will launch a National Awareness Campaign tomorrow as part of the ongoing fight against tuberculosis. 

The campaign targets specific locations around the nation including National Capital District, Gulf and Western provinces.

“The awareness campaign will run alongside current activities to confront TB,” a spokesman for O’Neill said today.

“ This will remind people of essential information relating to TB that is often overlooked and can lead to critical situations for those who contract the disease, as well as expand potential for further transmission.  

“The key messages are that people need to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical help, that there is a cure and it is free, and that people who contract TB must complete their treatment.

“Posters are being placed around the nation, there will be newspaper, leaflet, and SMS information, and we have already released some early television and radio commercials to enhance awareness sooner rather than later.”

Young Papua New Guineans urged to apply for Queen's Young Leaders Awards

Young Papua New Guinean leaders are being encouraged to nominate or apply for the Queen’s Young Leaders Awards.

The Awards recognise young (18-29 years) leaders from Commonwealth nations who are overcoming adversity and contributing to their communities.

This unique, life-changing Award provides winners with a tailored package of training and mentoring and a one-week residential programme in the UK, during which they will receive their Award from Her Majesty The Queen.

With this support, Award winners will be expected to continue and develop the work they are already doing in their communities.

Each application/nomination for the award must meet the following criteria:

1.      Applicants/nominees need to have proven experience of working to improve their communities locally, regionally or at a national level and be able to show evidence of their achievements.

2.      Applicants/nominees must be aged between 18 and 28 before December 16,  2014. This ensures that all Award winners will be under the age of 30 by the time they finish the one-year programme.

3.      Applicants/nominees must be citizens of a Commonwealth country or citizens of an Overseas Territory (of a Commonwealth Member).

4.      Applicants/nominees need to demonstrate evidence of their leadership qualities.

5.      All applicants/nominees need to be supported by a suitable referee.

6.      Priority will be given to individuals who have overcome challenges to achieve their goals

Applications close on  October 10.

Applications and nominations must be lodged online atwww.queensyoungleaders.com

Sport: PNG cricketers snap losing streak

Radio New Zealand

It's taken four games but the Papua New Guinea cricketers finally secured their first victory in the South Australian Premier League, beating the Southern Force by three wickets in Darwin on Sunday.
A day after losing to the Northern Mavericks, the Barramundi's restricted the Force to just 211 for 9 from their 50 overs, with Assad Vala snaring 3 for 37 off six overs.
In reply, Tony Ura anchored the PNG innings with 76 from 72 balls while Mahura Dai added 66 as the visitors reached their target with 12 overs and three wickets to spare.
The team now heads to Adelaide to begin their T20 campaign against the Outbacks on Saturday.

Human resistance to malaria varies depending on location, study finds

By David Mark

ABC

Humans have evolved different defences against malaria depending on where they live, scientists have found.

Photo: The study found resistance to malaria, transmitted through infected mosquitoes, varies depending on location. (AAP: University of Queensland, file photo)

About half the world's population is exposed to the disease, which kills more than 500,000 people each year.
A study, conducted over 10 years across 11 countries, looked for specific mutations known as markers in genes that result in resistance against malaria in almost 12,000 people.
Laboratory head at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Dr Ivo Mueller, said the study found there is a close evolutionary interplay between malaria and human populations.
"It is a complex interaction between the parasite and the human genome," he said.
"Part of this study was done in Papua New Guinea, but most of these mutations that we found are actually not found in Papua New Guinea because people there never acquired these mutations.
"On the other hand we have a whole set of other mutations that protects people from malaria in Papua New Guinea that we do not find in African populations."
Dr Muller said that the increasing ability to look at genome interactions between parasites and hosts at a detailed level will hopefully result in a greater understanding of the disease.
"That will eventually allow us hopefully to develop new medicines and new vaccines and target these key interactions between the human host and the malaria parasite," he said.

AFL Commission head recalls PNG's IC victory

World Footy News

Saturday, September 27 2014

Contributed by: Brett Northey

AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick was an onlooker at the 2014 International Cup (pictured here at the Women's Grand Final with fellow commissioners Linda Dessau and Sam Mostyn) and it's pleasing he took the time to mention it during his AFL Grand Final pre-match address.

 

The full speech can be read here, and although it was only one sentence, it was good that the IC got a mention, as it shows he's not ashamed to spruik the international development of the game.
"The International Cup won by Papua New Guinea was again a great success, and goes from strength to strength. Our game really has no boundaries."
Fans of growing the women's side of the sport, as we all should be, would also be pleased to read Fitzpatrick say (speaking about women's football although no doubt primarily within Australia):
"Women’s football is on the march, and the AFL is going to support it."

Butibam clashes with NS Busu in Lae men's basketball grand final

By BOB AARON in Lae

All roads leads to Niall Reserve Basketball Courts on Sunday as two neighouring Ahi villages – Butibam and   N S Busu ( Yanga) -  clash  in Lae  basketball premier men’s division grand final.

NS Busu's Percy Aaron shooting for basket in a recent game against Butibam at the Niall Reserve Courts.-Picture by PETER KESU SAYAMA

Busu are the defending champions having beaten Unitech Bulls for the major honour last year and are up against a team that is yet to lose a game this year.

All throughout this year, Butibam has beaten Busu two times during the regular season and their third victory was against them two weeks ago during the major semi- finals.

Busu on the hand have beaten Unitech Bulls and Red Beach last week to set up this meeting with their Tribal neighbours.

The last time both teams met in the grand final was in 2009 which Butibam won by a point.

Interestingly, the match up for both teams will be the battle between the two sets of brothers in opposite teams in which Butibam will be led by the Giali brothers in the likes of Kila, Noah and Joel up against the Aaron brothers of Percy, Wayne and their young sibling Jotham.

The Giali brothers are all over six feer and will try to donate the boards in both defence and offense.

Ably assisting them will be Hapo Maliaki, Apelis Stafford  and Ashley Boussougou.

Busu on the other hand have lofty Russel Stafford and his brother – in- law Junior Oscar and runaway train- Micheal Kmarma -  who would be handy around the boards and keyways.

In terms of heights, Butibam has the upper hand whilst Busu have speed and accuracy in outsider perimeter shoots in three pointers- something that Butibam must be fully aware of and must address quickly before and during the match.

In the women’s premier match, defending champions N S Busu lock horns with old rivals Unitech Bulls in the decider.

Both teams have not been consistence in their performances this year and a lot will depend on the day on who plays well and according to the game play will win the final match of the year.

Bulls boost Lousia Wallance, Nelly Jomsop, and sisters Esther and Vivian Guwae whilst Busu banks their hopes on Christie Oscar- Stafford, Angeline Marupi, Martha Bonga- Narakou and veterans Martha Aaron and Mary-Elavo Amos

In the under 20 divisions, N S Busu takes on Butibam in the boys whilst Exodus battles N S Busu in the girls.

Lutheran women launch strategic plan

By Sanang Zazoring in Boana

WOMEN of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea this week launched their Five-Year Strategic Plan, complementing the National Government’s policy on government-church partnership and receiving the commendation and support of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

In a historic moment at Boana station during the opening of the 14^th Lutheran National Women’s Conference on Sunday, September 21, the plan was presented to O’Neill who received it on behalf of the Government. 
“I am happy to see such an initiative being taken by the Lutheran women in publishing such policy planning which emphasises key areas of human development to help and sustain women’s work and build the healthy community in Papua New Guinea,” he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated his earlier message delivered at the national synod in Karkar earlier this year when he said his government was always on the standby to work closely with churches and other non-government organisations in delivering services to the people of PNG.

 O’Neill also highlighted and commended the outcome of the plan in shaping families and strengthening the base of PNG communities through women’s empowerment. 

To show this support, the Prime Minister presented K200,000 to the ELC-PNG Women’s division to extend their work.

Previously, women’s work within the church was conducted ad hoc making this working document, which is aligned with the church’s Vision 2020 and the National Government’s Vision 2050, a strategic and timely guideline for women’s spiritual and physical growth within the church.

The plan carries six areas of emphasis with the goal of achieving integral human development. These are Spiritual Development, Physical Development, Economic Empowerment, Social Status and Liberation, Intellectual Capacity Building, and the Strengthening of the church’s Women’s division.

The strategic plan has come about as a result of years of consultative and planning work contributed by women of the church’s 17 districts.

In attendance at the opening and launch on Sunday with Prime Minister O’Neill and Bishop of ELC-PNG Giegere Wenge were local MP Gisuwat Siniwin, Morobe Governor Kelly Naru, business woman and leader Janet Sape, former Morobe premier and woman leader Annie Moaitz and several senior government workers.

The head of Lutheran Church, Bishop Giegere Wenge said the plan would  help the church in general in guiding and strengthening the family unit within the church.

 Naru also gave his support to the Lutheran women and commended them for taking such an important step through this initiative.

Boana - the pride of Morobe

By Sanang Zazoring in Boana

 YOU ARE IN the land of Tikingic (mountain man) – the missionary Gustove Bergman, who was named so in Kâte language of Finschhafen and who was the first Lutheran missionary from Neuendettelsau, Germany who evangelised the people. 

Boana tree dance

Boana is in the Navaeb electorate of Morobe Province.

To be in Boana, is to be in the hub of Morobe, seeing and experiencing the scenery, flora and fauna you have never faced before. 

This all is proving that Boana is worth being considered as the pride and identity of Morobe as it is nicely located in a pothole, surrounded by mountains, looking towards the beginning of endless Finisterre Ranges in northern direction. 

The sun is very bright after a bid of shower and foggy previous days – Lutheran women are at their national conference doing their usual business.

The quiet Boana station became alive when women from all over Papua New Guinea invaded the place for their biannual conference being held here from September 22-28, 

So, this is Boana!

Chanting, “WE-E, WE-E, WE-E!!,” as a greeting to welcome you to Boana made my heart sank to its place.

 The next day people confronted us with the words, “SARA – SARA,” meaning, good morning – making me acquainted to the nature and of this amazingly friendly people.

The place became over crowded by foreigners (local tourists as some people put it) who appeared in their thousands. 

The whole Papua New Guinea is present at this extraordinary place which is looking like a bric-à-brac-interior as the women appear in their uniforms leaving you in a loss of words situation.

 So what? 

Boana is the pride of Morobe!!

Boana’s historical moment has come

The coming of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister becomes a historical moment for Boana people. As one announced, “We have seen our past prime ministers through TV and newspapers omly – but today, the day has come when Boana people will see with their own eyes when their Prime Minister arives on their land for the first time ever.” 

The descending of Prime Minster Hon. Peter O’Neill in a chopper raised people in commotion, applauding and pouncing the air.

The “Kumul Bilong Morobe” you find in Boana! 

The tree dance which I call ‘Kumul Dance’ with its 25-steps ladder elevated to the sky on which men dance and performe the skills of a bird of paradise up and down at the sound of kundu drums on the ground floor to welcome the prime minister.  
Someone in the crowd commented, “It is a victory and celebration dance, an amazing nail biting stuff, playing with the height! 

Expect the unexpected! (see a short video on youtube.com at http://youtu.be/XVkhct8mwJA)

The place was painted by the influx of people both conference guests and locals who made their presence felt in various glimpses of activity, for some, it was an opportunity to roaming around, spending time and enjoying the day…

The Boana station is con-joined with government and church district centers including the Lutheran church headquarter, a police station, a hospital, a primary school and other facilities providing adequate infrastructure for the event. 

The road linkage has finally been rearranged allowing even bus services to travel forth and back, making business activities convenient for general Boana people. 

Thanks to the Morobe government!

The streets of Boana station were painted in Morobe’s traditional colors blue, green and yellow depicting Morobe’s rainforest, sea and sun, I guess. 

Streets were being named after Nawaeb electorate’s prominent figures and heroes such as Pasom, Manek, Gustove, Yamandi and others making them the monumental icon of Boana to be remembered for the generation to come. 

They have done Boana proud – congratulations!

You want to see and experience Boana? 

We-e, we-e, we-e!! 

Your direction to Boana: 

Driving from Lae you pass by Nadzab Airport and travel north. After 4 to 5 kilometers you leave the Highway and turn right to take the road which leads to Boana. 

There you are in Boana – pride of Morobe. 

See you there!

Prime Minister expresses condolences following aircraft crash

The Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, has expressed deep and sincere condolences to the families of the passengers and crew of the Twin Otter aircraft that crashed on approach to Port Moresby on 20 September.
“The thoughts of the nation are with the families of the four people who lost their lives, and we pray for the recovery of the five survivors.
“To families in Papua New Guinea and Australia who are experiencing terrible grief right now, our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
The Prime Minister assured the families of those involved in the crash, and the public, that the cause of the crash will be full investigated.
“The Minister for Civil Aviation, Steven Davies, has ensured that I was briefed on the incident since soon after it occurred.
“Now the Papua New Guinea Accident Investigation Commission is working to establish the cause of this incident.
“I commend the response of emergency services and the members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.  These personnel arrived soon after the flight went down and worked diligently to evacuate the injured, and respectfully remove those who did not survive.”
The Prime Minister asked that members of the public are sensitive to the feelings of the families impacted by the incident and do not engage in rumors particularly on social media.
“It is important that people do not jump to conclusions as to what caused the incident and as investigators undertake their analysis based on evidence.”
“I urge people on social media to be sensible and sensitive in what they post about the incident.”
PM O’Neill said as a country that relies heavily on air travel, any crash is of interest right around the nation.
“Air incidents such as this are close to the hearts of many in Papua New Guinea as we depend heavily on air transport for family and business travel.
“It must be remembered that air travel remains an overwhelmingly safe means of travel.  When an incident such as this occurs it is full investigated, and the results of that investigation are analyzed by Papua New Guinean and international experts for further action.”

Three killed, six injured in PNG air crash

Daily Mail

Three killed and six injured when pilot flying parishioners to a mission in Papua New Guinea crashed into a mountainside in 'poor visibility' 

• The aircraft came down about 10km from Goldie, near Port Moresby
• The Hevilift twin otter aircraft was carrying nine people  
• The two pilots, one Australian man and a woman believed to be from PNG, died alongside one other passenger
• A spokeswoman for Hevilift said the Australian was a 'very experienced pilot'
• Six people survived and one is in a critical condition, all have been taken to hospital in Port Moresby
• It is believed the plane was chartered by Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Parish in Woitape with parishioners and a pastor on board 
• Emergency services and crash investigators are on site trying to determine the cause of the crash
• Sources say the plane crashed into a hillside into a 'difficult to access area'

By Melissa Hills and Sally Lee for Daily Mail Australia and Aap

An Australian pilot has died, along with his co-pilot and a passenger, when he flew into a mountainside in Papua New Guinea after reducing altitude in poor visibility, it has been reported.

Six other people survived the crash on Saturday, although one is in a critical condition.

The Hevilift twin otter aircraft came down about 10km from Goldie, near the capital Port Moresby. Officials from the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby said they have 'grave concerns' for a man following the crash.

It is believed the plane was chartered by a Catholic parish in Woitape, with parishioners on board and a pastor among the injured. 

A Hevilift twin otter aircraft similar to the one that crashed

A Hevilift spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that the company 'swiftly commenced rescue operations and can confirm there are six survivors, one in critical condition'.

The passengers are being treated at Port Moresby General Hospital. 

The spokeswoman added: 'Three tragically lost their lives. 

'The company will be conducting a thorough investigation and is cooperating with all relevant authorities to determine the cause.

 

'The chartered flight was headed from Woitape to Port Moresby on Saturday morning. 

'Hevilift's thoughts and sympathy go to the families of those who have died in the crash and the company will continue to provide every assistance to the survivors.'

The spokeswoman said the Australian killed in the crash 'was a very experienced pilot'.

Efforts to recover the wreckage of the downed plane has been suspended due to heavy fog and rain on the crash site.

Plans to airlift the bodies of those killed were also abandoned and are instead being transported to Port Moresby by road, PNG Loop reports. 

Australian pilot among three killed in PNG plane crash

The flight had been travelling to Port Moresby from Goilala district

The chief executive of PNG's Accident Investigation Commission, David Inau, said the cause of the crash was unknown, reports ABC. 

The flight had been travelling to Port Moresby from Goilala district. 

He said: 'It's too early to say until [investigators] come back from the accident site," he said.

Emergency services and accident investigators are on site trying to find out what happened. 

The Department of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said officials from the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby are urgently seeking information from local authorities regarding the crash.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian man who died in a light plane crash in Papua New Guinea,' the spokeswoman added.

Police spokesman David Terry told media 'details are very sketchy at the moment' of the crash. 

PNG missionary Matt Allen tweeted: 'Pray for my friends. "BREAKING: a Hevilift Twin Otter carrying up to 8 passengers has crashed 30miles from Port Morseby.'

A Catholic reporter in PNG tweeted: 'Downed plane chartered by Our Lady of Fatima Catholic parish of Woitape, Goi. Parishioners on board. Pastor Fr John Aihi among injured.'

Further tweets include: 'the pilot lowered plane due to poor visibility; immediately hit trees, terrain'.

'Survivor of Sept 20 crash: too late for pilot to regain altitude; front of aircraft smahed [sic] on the hill side and broke in the middle,' the Catholic reporter also tweeted. 

A reporter from PNG tweeted that the plane was charted by Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Parish

Since 2000 more than 20 planes have crashed in Papua New Guinea- the lack of infrastructure makes air travel crucial to the six million residents. 

ABC reports that in July 2012, a chopper also operated by charter company Hevilift, crashed while flying from a drill rig site to Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands, killing two Australians and a New Zealander.

In one of the worst accidents, an Airlines PNG Dash-8 crashed 20 kilometres south of Madang in October 2011, killing 28 of the 32 people on board.

In June this year, the Accident Investigation Commission found that pilot error was a contributing factor in that accident.