The National Government must reappoint competent departmental heads based on their performance results, and refrain from recycling incompetent non-performers.
These are the sentiments critically raised by a former PNG envoy to Solomon Islands and the Republic of Vanuatu, Ambassador Brian Yombon-Copio.
He said a competent Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs is required to bridge strategic policy with practical operational execution given the contemporary issues confronting PNG. Its diplomatic missions have operational issues.
Amb Yombon-Copio added that most PNG Missions abroad have funding issues and senior diplomatic positions are not filled and the national interest is not driven by the Missions. He said, consular services are critical issues of concern as PNG citizens abroad suffer assistance.
Mr Yombon-Copio said that PNG’s foreign policy is not visible to put the country in the global perspective particularly with geopolitics having had gained height in recent times. PNG is still an observer at ASEAN since 1976 whereby the country shares land border with an influential ASEAN member. It should be the role of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to guide the Government to pursue PNG’s full membership in ASEAN.
The secretary’s key performance indicators should guide the delivery of outcomes. The operational requirements in both policy and governance spaces require a person with key expectations focused on merit-based competence, strategic thinking, and the ability to advance national interest, rather than political patronage, is required for the departmental head role.
A person with strategic and diplomatic background is required so that the person should be able to demonstrate an ability to act proactively to provide up-to-date and useful advice to the Executive Government on bilateral and multilateral issues. This includes interpreting complex international relations to protect PNG’s national identity, sovereignty, and security.
Mr Yombon-Copio said on the operational management front, there is robust leadership required todirect daily operations, such as managing foreign missions, overseeing consular affairs, or facilitating aid and international partnerships. He further illustrated that appropriate policy initiatives are required as are legislative initiatives on foreign service and consular services legislations. Policy implementation would includealigning to departmental activities with national policies, such as the Foreign Policy White Paper and others.
He said it is about time; the key department requires a robust leadership and integrity to the Department. There should be visibility on commitment to professionalism, transparency, and accountability, with the ability to manage teams and uphold the code of conduct to combat corruption or political interference.
Mr Yombon-Copio, who was recently recognized with a ward of Campion of the Star of Melanesia (CSM) for services to international relations and diplomacy, said that in PNG context, most skilled and experienced people are not appointed to departmental head roles as politicians want to manipulate on incompetency.