National Cultural Commission

Officers from DPM’s Executive Performance Management Division visited NCC to see for themselves proof of leadership’s key result areas.

After visiting the NCC head office and two cultural institutions in Port Moresby, the officers of the EPM Division, commended NCC Executive Director, Steven Enomb Kilanda and his team for the wonderful delivery of satisfactory work.

The division assesses the performance of heads of government agencies based on key performance indicators of the heads of agencies against the key result areas and performance targets.

The purpose of this Consultation Workshop is to gauge views of Papua New Guinean’s towards developing a cultural policy, which the Government is confident will be inclusive.

The development of this National Cultural Policy is a milestone for the country and the cultural sector, making it a necessary and timely document because in the last 4 decades since PNG’s independence, policy directions were inconsistent towards cultural development in the country.

The National Cultural Commission (NCC) when holding the final audition recently in Port Moresby. The competition was set up to choose only one winner, however due to certain criteria set, a tie was announced that ended in selecting two troupes, Bilas Group and the UPNG Creative Arts Group.

The troupes will be among many that will take part in a weeklong strand of events in Dubai that will give our chosen candidates the opportunity to highlight PNG’s culture and tradition in song and dance.

The Tourism Promotion Authority in collaboration with the National Cultural Commission of Papua New Guinea have auditioned 13 contemporary cultural music dance groups at the Cosmopolitan in Port Moresby.

This is in search of a group that will best represent PNG to promote contemporary music and dance and market the PNG tourism cultural brand in Dubai.

The National Cultural Commission has put together a calendar as part of its commitment as signed in a MoA with the Enga Provincial Government in July recently.

 Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Isi Henry Leonard launched the calendar on August recently at the provincial museum known as the Enga Take Anda in Wabag.  

“This calendar regarding the Enga provincial cultural show events identifies the events, venues and the dates. It is very important as it informs everyone, whether it be Engans or local and inbound tourists,” said Mr Leornard.

This is an initiative of the Siwai people, supported by the South Bougainville District Development Authority, in partnership with the National Cultural Commission (NCC).

NCC Executive Director Steven Kilanda, said it is important that people realize that culture is one of the most important assets in this country.

Kilanda congratulated Timothy Masiu, Member for South Bougainville and Minister for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), for initiating this important event. He ensured that the NCC is ready to help develop art and culture in South Bougainville.

The Tourism, Arts & Culture Minister made this statement during the recent launch of West New Britain’s mask festivals.

Emil Tammur said the NCC, one of PNG’s oldest institutions, was not able to carry out its mandated role of protecting and promoting the nation’s diverse culture due to the lack of accountability.

A welcoming ceremony was held between the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Emil Tammur and the incoming acting executive director, John Uani.

In a brief ceremony today, Minister Tammur welcomed the acting appointment and said this was a way forward for the commission to sort themselves out and prepare for upcoming major events.

In response, Uani said they would focus on regrouping the organisation and preparing them for the major national and international tasks that lay ahead.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tobias Kulang has challenged the recently appointed Board members to take the opportunity and have creative ideas to rebuild NCC.

The Board was appointed this month and is chaired by Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari and comprises of eight members from a range of fields.

The Board was sworn in on Wednesday, December 21 for a three year term.

Kulang said that in his last three months as Minister, he will work with the board to transfer what he believes should be a focus for their term in office.

Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Tobias Kulang, said this is the top priority for the Board.

Kulang revealed that the annual reports that NCC is required to present to the people, through the Parliament, has been nonexistent for years.

“This institution has not been accountable to the people through Parliament and that includes audits of the financial statements.

“NCC needs to account for the assets to ensure that it is an accountable institution to the people of PNG through Parliament and National Executive Council.