Our Founding Father and first Prime Minister, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare’s legacy and his good deeds still live on in the hearts and minds of our people.
“He may have gone physically, but his words and what he did with other like-minded leaders to get Independence 50 years ago are the lives and freedom we live and enjoy.
“Some people are gone, but their words, actions, and heart to fight for the common good and benefit of others pretty much lives on forever, and Sir Michael Somare fits in that generation of leaders and people. He is timeless,” said Prime Minister James Marape.
The Prime Minister said at a dinner organized to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the passing of the Grand Chief at the Somare Institute of Leadership and Governance (SILAG) in Waigani on Thursday (26.02.2026).
Born on April 1936 Sir Michael Somare died on 26th February 2021, a month before his 85th birthday.
Prime Minister Marape said this as the nation remembered the life, leadership, and legacy of PNG’s Founding Father, the late Sir Michael Somare.
He said five years have passed since he left us physically, but his vision remains alive in our Constitution, in our institutions, and in the hearts of our people.
“Some leaders may pass on, but their influence never dies. Grand Chief Somare belongs to that rare class of global statesmen whose legacy is timeless.
“From the political movements of the 1960s, through the formation of Pangu Pati, and into the historic coalition that led us to Independence in 1975, he stood firm when many doubted that Papua New Guinea could govern itself.
“He believed in unity over division. He believed that our diversity is our strength. He believed that our future must be shaped by our own hands.
“Under his leadership, we established a national public service, built the framework of constitutional democracy, and anchored our foreign policy on the principle of ‘friends to all and enemies to none. Almost everything we administer today traces its beginnings to those foundational years.”
Prime Minister Marape said Somare’s vision for a united and peaceful country of a thousand tribes must continue.
“As Prime Minister, I reaffirm today that we will not allow his vision to fade.
“In honor of his lifelong commitment to leadership and governance, my government will pursue the elevation of SILAG into a fully recognized university — a center of excellence for leadership, governance, and public policy.
“We will also strengthen the Bully Beef Club Academy concept to nurture young leaders grounded in patriotism, discipline, and service to our nation.
“Leadership is not about holding office. Leadership is about serving people.
“Independence was not the end of our journey. Political freedom must be matched with economic independence, social responsibility, and moral integrity.
“In the days before he passed, I had the privilege of speaking with him. Even in his frailty, his concern was not for himself — it was for Papua New Guinea.
“He reminded me that leadership is a trust, not a possession. It is temporary. But service to the nation is eternal.
“He envisioned Papua New Guinea becoming a happy, prosperous, and united nation by 2050. That vision remains alive in our policies and development agenda today,” said Prime Minister Marape.
He called on national leaders and departmental heads and both the private and public sectors to put the country first above self-interest.
“To our members of Parliament, public servants, provincial leaders and young Papua New Guineans — let us not allow his sacrifice to be in vain.
“Let us govern with integrity; let us lead with accountability; let us work with discipline and let us unite our people.
“We are merely custodians of the nation he built. One day, history will judge our generation just as we honor his today.”
He added that such leaders’ legacy lives on in the minds of the people.
“Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare may have rested from his earthly duties, but his dream continues in us.
“As we celebrate years of Independence, let us recommit ourselves to building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Papua New Guinea — a country our children will be proud to inherit. May God bless Papua New Guinea.”
The dinner was hosted in honor of the Bully Beef Club, which was the forerunner to the Pangu Pati, which Prime Minister Marape now leads.
The Bully Beef Club was formed by “13 angry men”, a group of like-minded individuals led by Somare.
Prime Minister Marape said the dinner will be an annual event every 26th February in honor of the founding father.
The dinner was attended by the Police Minister Hon. Sir John Pundari, PNG’s Ambassador to the US Sir Arnold Amet, Minister for Public Service Hon. Joe Sungi, Minister for Bougainville and Member for Magarima Hon. Manaseh Makiba, and others.
It was held at the SILAG Hall.