Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Bestowed with Fellowship of the ICMA

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Honourable Peter O’Neill was bestowed with Fellowship of the ICMA, in a ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office in Port Moresby.

Professor Janek Ratnatunga presented the award saying that “the award is for the Man (O’Neill) and not the Office (the office of the Prime Minister). The Prime Minister was specifically honoured for his contribution towards management accounting education via the recognition of the Jubilee Institute of Higher Education (JIHE) by his government. The ICMA has worked closely with the JIHE for many years, and over 200 finance professionals have undertaken the CMA program in the country. The ICMA also was instrumental in legislating the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants of PNG, and all ICMA(PNG) members must undertake the Australian CMA Program (by legislation)”.

The Prime Minister, who is a CPA by profession, was the President of CPA(PNG) for many years. He is now the first and only management accountant to be a leader of a country. He was nominated for the Fellowship award by fellow countryman and accountant, and former Finance Secretary Dr Thaddeus Kambanei. Dr. Kambanei is the Regional Director of ICMA in PNG.

Left to Right: Mr Paul Dorpse, Executive Manager Corporate Services Department of Health, Prof Janek Ratnatunga, Dr Thaddeus Kambanei, The Honourable Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of PNG, Rev. Joe Pandu, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God of PNG; Pastor John Apami, the Executive Officer of AOG PNG.