How Pena Ou’s decisive move secured PNG’s first government

The late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s dream of forming Papua New Guinea’s first government in 1975 may never have been realized without the pivotal support of Pena Ou from the Western Highlands.

Senior Provincial Magistrate of the Mt Hagen District Court, Betty Jacobs, made this reflection while paying tribute to PNG’s founding fathers and the nation’s Constitution. She recalled that, at the time, Somare’s Pangu-led coalition was short by just one crucial number to form government and steer the country into independence.

Jacobs explained that many in the Highlands region were initially skeptical about independence, often viewing it as a movement for the coastal people of PNG. Despite this, Hagen Open MP Pena Ou made the decisive choice to join Somare’s side, providing the single seat needed to establish the nation’s first government.

“Western Highlands and the Highlands region have always been active participants in shaping PNG’s political journey,” Jacobs said.

She honored Ou’s contribution, noting that his decision paved the way for PNG to achieve independence on September 16, 1975.

Jacobs also paid homage to the founding fathers of the nation, thanking them for their commitment, vision, and determination to unite Papua New Guinea under one Constitution and for ensuring the country’s independence was achieved peacefully, without bloodshed.