Provinces have been urged to incorporate cultural programs and implement it at the provincial, districts and local level government levels.

The call was made by the executive director of the National Cultural Commission, Steven Enomb Kilanda. He also challenged the provincial administrators to take up the initiative to drive cultural development agendas in their provinces.

Mr. Kilanda’s made his call for collaborative efforts from the provincial authorities on June 28 when he officiated the opening and the closing of the Parakam Amb Guu Festival at Togoba outside Mount Hagen city.

He said he and the Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, Isi Henry Leonard, had traveled the length and breadth of the country officiating cultural events and program, and have not seen provincial administrators teaming up with NCC to deliver cultural services to the people.

He said Western Highlands Provincial administrator Joseph Mangibal has been exceptional. “Your presence at the festival is making a difference and indicates how significant and serious the new administration under the leadership of new Western Highlands Governor Hon. Wai Rapa is embracing culture in the province.

Mr Kilanda further welcomed the called by Western Highlands Provincial administrator to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Cultural Commission (NCC), saying it was important to forged a partnership arrangement to work closely to provide cultural services to the people while at the same time, help to preserve, safeguard, and promote dying cultures.

He said they had tried to sign MoU with Eastern and Western Highlands Provincial Governments but failed.

“Now that the Provincial Administrator has make the call inviting NCC to forge that partnership, our doors are always open and we are glad to sign a MoU with Western Highlands Province in due course,” said Mr. Kilanda.

National Cultural Commission is a small government agency that is underfunded hence the need to partner to deliver cultural services to the people. NCC so far has signed MoUs with seven other provinces including, Enga, West New Britain, Oro, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Milne Bay, East New Britain, and Madang.

Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa committed K50, 000 towards the festival while Administrator Mangibal contributed K5, 000 and NCC, K10, 000.