Western Highlands leads as safe haven for Upper Highlands

Western Highlands Province continues to stand as a safe haven for the troubled Upper Highlands Provinces.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Belden Namah made this statement recently in Mt Hagen.

Namah said Western Highlands has consistently demonstrated peace and unity, which reflect the very reason the Mt Hagen Cultural Show was established to promote peace and unity through cultural festivity.

He emphasized that Western Highlands has long served as a second home for its troubled sister provinces and urged its people to continue practicing peace and unity. He said peacemakers will always reap greater rewards.

“Western Highlands Province is taking the lead in peacebuilding and unity. This must serve as a lesson to other Highlands Provinces that tribal fights only destroy communities and tarnish unity. They should live by the good example set by WHP,” Namah said.

Namah commended Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa for prioritizing law and order in his five-year development plan.

He added that once law and order issues are reduced and controlled, tourists and other visitors will see Mt Hagen as a preferred destination, which will boost the local economy.

He appealed to the Upper Highlands Provinces to reject tribal fighting and division, urging communities to embrace peace and unity values that make Papua New Guinea a land of diversity and harmony.

Namah also called on leaders of the Upper Highlands Provinces to return home and show leadership instead of remaining in Port Moresby while their people struggle with tribal fights and law-and-order issues.