Vital to change our attitudes

Our leaders, elders, pastors and MPs speak about the need to maintain peace and bring development.In order to do that, they need support from the communities.Unfortunately, not everyone understands the importance of maintaining peace. One example was the unprovoked attack on two officers from the MSF team (“Doctors attacked”, Feb 17).

The MSF team brought much needed services when they opted to serve at the Tari Hospital.Their presence led to people from far and near flocking to Tari Hospital.However, a drunk attacked two MSF officers and this had led to the team pulling back to Port Moresby.That single act had tarnished the good name of Tari.

Our leaders have tried their best to address such attitude problems but they continue to persist. Is it the leaders’ responsibility to resolve such problems? Or, is it the people? Whose problem is it? All good words and advice seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

Every now and then, people in the Hela region are crying for their own province. This is great. If we want to manage our own province, then we need to change our behaviours and attitudes.

- Concerned Southern Highlander

Source: The National editorial


*** I share the same sentiments with concerned Southern Highlander that it is from within a person that he/she can change their attitude and behaviour for the better.

If we can change our attitude and say no to sex and control our sexual behaviours, we wouldn’t worry too much about HIV/AIDS because everyone would be responsible for his/her sexual behaviour and the same is true for all other social problems affecting our country.

If we can start now by changing our attitude in putting garbage and spitting betel nut in the bins, we can change our attitude towards our sexual behaviours, approaches to one another, respecting properties, etc......

If we don’t bring in an attitude change towards ourselves, the number of social problems will dramatically skyrocket in the next five to 10 years, no matter how many millions of kina or excessive resources we use to carry out awareness campaigns.

Unquestionably, if you and I can change our attitude for a better living, we can make a difference in the mist of this troublesome country (PNG) of ours where we call "home".