A Call for support

There are leaders who raise their voices to call in a situation for attention, assistance, support or to disrupt action. At the UN World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey, Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has called on the global community to assist Fiji with the funds needed to build Fiji's resiliency to climate change. In Vanuatu, the prime minister launched a flash appeal asking the international community for help towards the victims of cyclone Pam. On July 24th 2003, RAMSI began arriving in Solomon Islands following a call from the Governor General Sir John Lapli to regain and maintain peace and order in the country, that was mess up during the ethnic tension. These are examples of leaders who made a call for support.

While the citizens are depending entirely on the national leaders to move the nation forward, there are leaders who faces challenges and determine to make a call for support, to generate change. Over the media, it is noticed that there was a call from the Premier of Malaita Province to all Malaitans to step forward with support and initiative to build a Malaita Provincial Assembly Chamber in Auki. For easy administration, the Island of Malaita was divided into 5 regions - Eastern, Northern, Central, Southern and Malaita Outer- Island. It was speculated that the chamber symbolizes unity among the 5 regions. This is another leader's call for support directed to its native people - Malaitans.

Now what will Malaitans do? Will they respond? Malaitans are known for hard working and action-oriented people. No one knows only time will tell.

Following the call, the people gathered and responded by establishing a coordinating committee to lead and organized fundraising drives towards the development of the plan. The question now is, what is next?    

Guitar

Do you own a guitar? I know there are lot of people who cannot afford to get one. But wait a minute, here's a good news for you, nowadays, you don't need to buy a guitar anymore, the technology has it all. 

My professor Mr David Chun has introduced me to a YouTube clip demonstrating android apps to play guitar. It was awesome to know that there are huge apps available to play musical instruments. There are great apps for iPhone and android platforms.

Have a look at this demo, you're gonna like it.

Solomon Islanders Undertake Investigator Training

Candidates with their certificates

Forty three Solomon Islanders undertook a rigorous training program on conducting investigations into alleged corrupt activities or misconduct over the last two weeks.  

Last Friday, the candidates were granted a Certificate IV in Government (Investigations) – an internationally accepted qualification.

Building the capacity of investigators aims to deliver a long-term benefit. Effective and competently conducted investigations significantly improves the ability of decision makers to implement appropriate outcomes following investigations, be they criminal, administrative or disciplinary actions, or systemic improvements designed to prevent misconduct or maladministration occurring in the future.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury has been a key advocate for this training, “Strong investigation capacity means strong governance, and all Solomon Islanders will benefit.”

The Certificate is an internationally recognized qualification which will support the audit, inspection and investigative functions undertaken by authorized officers in a range of Solomon Islands Government Ministries and Agencies. 

The training has been developed based on the relevant Solomon Islands legislation, and will focus on investigations into breaches of the Solomon Islands Public Financial Management Act, Public Service Act, Public Service Commission Regulations, Leadership Code (Further Provisions) Act and the Penal Code.  

The principles and work practices covered by the course are directly relevant to the review role of internal audit and more specifically, to the investigative role.

Mr Francis Otto, President of the Association of Internal Auditors (Solomon Islands) stated “The training establishes a strong capacity to investigate fraud and corruption in the Solomon Islands. We aim to promote transparency and accountability, ensuring public funds are utilized effectively and efficiently. It is part of an overall plan to improve public financial management, providing a solid foundation for economic growth in the Solomon Islands.”

The program was a joint initiative of the Ministry of Finance and Treasury and Association of Internal Auditors (Solomon Islands), funded by the Australian Government.