Dear Editor

The long-awaited briefing by the Prime Minister on preparations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) brought good news, including confirmation that many of the 56 Commonwealth Heads of State and Government will be coming to Apia.

The news has inspired many villages to start beautifying their homes and road frontages with beautiful plants and colourful decorations.

The beautification efforts by the villages need to be matched by our capital city.

Apia needs a major facelift before our guests arrive.

The government and the Samoa Chamber of Commerce must work together to get all the commercial buildings in the Central Business District repainted.

If needed, the Chamber can launch a public appeal for donations for materials to paint the outside walls and replace the roofs of dilapidated buildings, which are becoming an eyesore in the city.

Our rural communities, headed by the village Council of Matais (Chiefs) along with the Village Women Committees, have responded positively to the Government’s call to beautify our villages ahead of CHOGM.

Under this leadership, villages are beautifying their homes and preparing activities and food for any celebrations.

The vital role of the village Council of Matais and Women Committees in ensuring peace and security is again at the forefront of our preparations for CHOGM.

A responsibility that they have dutifully carried out for generations, despite the various frustrations and increasing challenges to their authority.

This communal structure is at the heart of Samoa’s culture and a source of national pride.

The final decision made in London for Samoa to host CHOGM was also the result of our Pacific cultural understanding.

Our neighbours, Fiji, stepped back from hosting the first CHOGM in the Pacific even though 95% of the leaders had agreed to their offer.

The then Fijian Prime Minister, Mr. Bainimarama withdrew their candidacy when he realized that Samoa had in fact offered to host CHOGM 10 years earlier.

A gracious gesture that underscores the deep cultural respect that we, in the Pacific, have for each other.

Samoa’s success in hosting CHOGM is success for the Pacific.

There is no doubt that our people will rise to the occasion.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP