Papua New Guinea – Now comes the hard work
This article, by the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier , is cautiously optimistic, though it shows how anti-corruption efforts work in Papua New Guinea (PNG), as well as in most countries. “PNG’s efforts to address corruption stretch back to independence, when the Constitutional Planning Committee embedded the Ombudsman Commission and a Leadership Code into the new nation’s constitution. But history is littered with examples of reform gains being undermined.” They address challenges that face the government, including problems with their anti-corruption commissions, but the PNG government, as well as CSOs and donors understand some of the issues. They not that government budget funding is an example, as it has looked good on paper but then when implementation should start it arrives late, or should be reduced or has political strings attached.
So why should we care about PNG? The article shows that good intentions are first needed but are not enough, as reality bumps up against these intentions. PNG is lucky enough to have senior politicians who are willing to back anti-corruption initiatives, as well as understand that reforms survive when they align with the interests of those in power, so long as they don’t threaten their survival. It is also important to identify those who can navigate these challenges, build bridges and understand these ever-changing political dynamics, including government officials, donors and civil society — to take the lead. What PNG shows us that it does take time, if there is an honest willingness, there will be steps forwards and back again, but overall anti-corruption is worth the effort.
Link: