Senior Constable Jacob Akaku was the proud recipient of the Dux Award for his excellent performance and successful completion of the Prosecutions Qualifying Program.A local man from Tari in the Hela Province, Mr. Akaku has dedicated over 30 years of his life to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) serving the people and upholding law and order. His journey started in July 1995 when he graduated from the Bomana Police College (now Bomana National Centre of Excellence). He didn’t start out in the courtroom, though. From 1997 to 1999, he worked on the Highway Patrol in Tari. In 2000, he moved into the prosecutions section. Today, he is the Acting Officer in Charge of prosecutions in Tari. Working as a prosecutor in Hela isn't easy, he explained. “The problem is that many people don't fully understand how the law works.” He specifically pointed out that tribal fighting and sorcery-related violence are hard to prosecute because of local traditions. In many cases, families prefer to settle crimes with money or goods outside of the legal system. "When we try to take offenders to court, some people tend to say...because this is an issue that happened at home, they are more concerned about compensation. That is the greatest challenge that I face." Even with these hurdles, Mr. Akaku has excelled within the RPNGC. Since 2000, he has dealt with and successfully converted a significant number of cases from arrests to convictions in Mendi and Tari. Winning the Dux Award at the recent Prosecutions Qualifying Program graduation in Port Moresby city was a pleasant surprise for him, but he was grateful for the training. He feels more ready than ever to head back to work, saying the program has given him the right tools to handle the tough job of bringing justice to his province and the country.

Musik Blok, a music school based in Goroka, has been gaining a lot of traction on social media lately, particularly on TikTok.The project serves as a mentorship platform for emerging artists in Papua New Guinea (PNG), providing training in song writing, production, and navigating the music industry. The initiative was founded by four-time ARIA nominee Ngaiire (Ngaire Joseph), a renowned Australia-Papua New Guinea music and visual artist. Ngaiire will be working alongside artists from Australia and PNG to begin the pilot program. Speaking with PNG Haus Bung, Ngaiire shared the personal inspiration behind the project, rooted in her grandmother’s legacy. Despite being unable to read or write, her grandmother understood the power of education and worked tirelessly to ensure her children could move beyond village life. Because of that resilience, Ngaiire’s mother secured a scholarship to study in Australia, taking the family with her. Both of Ngaiire’s parents were academics. The "light bulb moment" came from reflecting on the advantages Ngaiire received within the Australian school system and the deep exposure she had to music education. "I realized how so many other talented artists and musicians live in PNG," Ngaiire said. "Music is natural for us; it’s part of our culture and our ceremonies. I always promised myself that if I became a success, I would bring those opportunities back home." The name "Musik Blok" pays homage to the local context of PNG, where neighborhoods are often referred to as "bloks" (such as Banaba Blok). However, Ngaiire remains humble about the project's scope, noting, "I am very conscious of the fact that I built my career in Australia. I’m not coming in saying, ‘I can change everything,’ because it’s a huge undertaking." She emphasized the need for systemic support from the government, NGOs, and community leaders to address the lack of infrastructure surrounding how music can be presented. Ngaiire noted that PNG still lacks a national institute for the arts and the necessary touring infrastructure to reach young audiences who are being exposed to different genres of music. The inspiration for the project was further solidified during her time as a judge on ABC’s Pacific Break. "There is so much exciting music out there and a real hunger to grow, but there’s no clear pathway to help them," she noted. Through the Musik Blok music lab, the goal is to level up production skills and instil the confidence artists need to turn their raw talent into a career. By providing professional production skills, the program empowers participants to transform their talent into release-ready music, Ngaiire stressed. To strengthen this vision, the project is supported by the Australian Government through various grants.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) continues to prove that policing is a professional career, when celebrating 35 graduates who achieved a major milestone in the Prosecutions Qualifying Program.The ceremony, held at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby city last Wednesday, marked not only the academic achievement of its participants but also the continued evolution of the nation’s policing standards. Delivered through the long-standing Papua New Guinea–Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP), the program was designed in line with the PNG National Qualifications Framework. The initiative has served as a transformative force for the Bomana National Centre of Excellence (NCoE). Also, through this program, the RPNGC’s training college successfully obtained registration as a recognized Private Training Provider. The program is an intensive four-year course, divided into two years of theoretical study and two years of practical prosecution training, delivered through three stages: 1. Distance Education 2. Residential School 3. Court Assessment Phase Addressing the graduates, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Operations), Donald Yamasombi challenged the graduates to view their roles as lifelong careers. “The constabulary must be seen as a potential employer, an employer of choice. You can make a career out of the police force and prosecutions is one area.” “You can be a detective. You can also join the SSD (Special Services Division) if you want to be out there…on deployments.” “The constabulary is not just about going after crooks, you can build a career within the organization if you give that full commitment.” Among the graduates was Senior Constable Eugene Wanai and his wife, Constable Telita Wanai. The couple stood side-by-side, having completed the non-residential portion of the course. Their journey continues as they prepare for a final six-week intensive residential school to qualify for their diplomas. The Wanais are already making a tangible impact in Madang. Beyond their legal duties, they spearheaded a "Clean-a-thon" initiative which reached its one-year anniversary this May. Currently serving as the Acting Officer in Charge (OIC) for Prosecutions in Madang and the Provincial Prosecution Training Officer, Senior Constable Wanai oversees a team of five. Speaking to PNG Haus Bung, he acknowledged that many officers shy away from prosecution work. “From my observation, not many officers like to join prosecutions,” Wanai noted, adding that while many have their reasons, the benefits are clear. He highlighted that prosecution expertise provides a robust pathway for a career within the force or a transition into private law and specialized roles, such as national fisheries prosecution. As these graduates return to their posts, they carry more than just certificates; they carry the responsibility of professionalizing the justice system, one case at a time.

Thirty-five policemen and women graduated yesterday from the fourth Prosecutors Qualifying Program (PQP), a specialized training initiative aimed at equipping police prosecutors with necessary skills to enhance case management and improve conviction rates.The ceremony, held at the Hilton Hotel in Port Moresby, saw 25 of them awarded diplomas and 10 received certificates. Opening the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of Police Special Operations Donald Yamasombi, discussed the importance of having the competence to prosecute cases. He noted the need to bridge the gap between arrest and conviction rates. “The police seem to be making a lot of arrests but the cases that go through for us to secure convictions is very minimal,” he stated. “Why is it that we have many dismissals, struck out cases and withdrawals?" Delivering the keynote address, Public Prosecutor Ms. Helen Roalakona emphasized that while the law provides the framework, it is the prosecutor’s character that defines its application. She reminded graduates that they would face heavy caseloads and difficult decisions, noting that as public servants, they must remain resilient in the face of inevitable public criticism. She said, “As a police prosecutor, you occupy a unique but essential position in our justice system…you stand at the intersection of law enforcement and the courts.” “Remember that every case that you represent in court, represents real people.” Ms. Roalakona concluded her address by thanking the instructors, the Police Commissioner, and his management for recognizing the vital need to upskill prosecutors across Papua New Guinea. Also addressing the graduates was the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Jamie Strauss, who reiterated that quality evidence is the vital link between an initial arrest and an eventual conviction. Commenting on the PQP, he said, “It’s a very important program; it’s the start of a cycle of support that we provide to the RPNGC.” Looking at the collaboration between Australia and PNG, he highlighted the Prosecution Review Committee (PRC) as a strategic way to monitor the progress of cases handled by police investigators and prosecutors. He further noted that personnel have been deployed to Mount Hagen, Lae, Kokopo, and the National Capital District (NCD) to ensure that performance expectations and professional standards are upheld. Commander Strauss also presented the Dux award to Officer in Charge Senior Jacob Akaku, a Tari-based prosecutor whose career with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary spans more than 30 years.

The streets of Madang are getting a fresh start thanks to the Clean-a-thon initiative, a community-driven program spearheaded by Madang Police Prosecutor Sergeant Eugene Wanai.Alongside his colleagues, Sergeant Wanai launched the initiative with the aim of making Madang return to what it used to be- “Beautiful Madang”. Though the concept was conceived in May 2025, the program officially commenced in July 2025. While cleaning a town might seem like a minor task to some, Sergeant Wanai emphasizes that its impact is profound, serving as a catalyst for changing the public mindset. The program operates with a clear legal framework. By using the Summary Offences (Amendment) Act 2018 as a guideline, the team aims to curb public nuisances such as loitering, public smoking, the sale and consumption of buai (betel nut) in restricted spaces. The success of the clean-a-thon relies on stakeholders working in close collaboration including, the police, local businesses, schools, and the general public. Sergeant Wanai revealed that these advocates would be receiving certificates of appreciation for their unwavering support throughout the first year of the program. Another key figure of the movement is Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa, who has embraced the initiative and helped scale community participation. Sergeant Wanai outlined a strategic four-stage progression for the movement: 1. Awareness: Educating the public on civic responsibility. 2. Action: Physical clean-a-thon events. 3. Enforcement: Applying the law to maintain standards. 4. Transformation: Observing drastic, sustainable change in the urban environment. A core value of the program is self-reliance. Sergeant Wanai stressed that communities should take the initiative for their own programs rather than becoming overly dependent on the government. He noted that the government recognizes these programs in terms of funding, but the spark must come from the people. The Sergeant expressed his gratitude for the support of local students, specifically highlighting Divine Word University (DWU) and Madang Teachers College. “Divine Word University is an institution that has been part of us and Madang Teacher’s College,” he stated. Currently, the Clean-a-thon is held monthly, with plans to transition to a quarterly schedule as the community continues to adopt cleaner habits, and the need for intensive intervention decreases. “As time goes by and we see that people are adapting to the norm, then we might do it maybe quarterly.”

 The Papua New Guinea Indigenous Team has concluded an outstanding campaign at the 2026 National Indigenous Cricket Championships (NICC) with a series of awards at the official Presentation Night held on Sunday 19 April in Mackay, Australia. Across the tournament, the PNG Indigenous team was recognized as one of the best, highlighting the team’s elite performance, discipline and unity. Receiving the ‘NICC Men’s Spirit of Cricket Award’ further showed the team’s sportsmanship for the code. Displaying individual excellence, PNG’s batting star, Tony Ura, claimed the NICC 2026 Men’s Player of the Championship award. Ura also gained a spot on the NICC 2026 men’s Team of Championship. On the women’s side, Henao Thomas was recognized as one of 11 best players in the NICC 2026 Women’s Team. Henao played for South Australia Indigenous Team. These awards display the nation’s cricket talent and potential on the world stage in Australia. As well as its valued partnership with Australia, Cricket PNG extends its sincere appreciation to PacificAus. Both parties play a vital role in the development and success of PNG on the international stage. Cricket PNG also congratulates all players, coaching staff, and management for their continued dedication and commitment throughout the tournament.