JUNE 18 2022
Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has urged the people of Henganofi in Eastern Highlands to vote in a woman for change in their district.
He said this at Henganofi Station on Friday (June 17 2022) when campaigning for Pangu Pati’s woman candidate, Mofa Nina Giheno, in front of a massive crowd of people.
Ms Giheno, a highly-educated woman and coffee entrepreneur, is the daughter of three-time Henganofi MP John Giheno who served from 1982-1997 and was Caretaker Prime Minister following the resignation of Sir Julius Chan in 1997.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce – Double Major from University of Newcastle in Australia; Masters of International Trade and Development from University of Adelaide in Australia; and is working towards her PhD.
Ms Giheno is the Managing-Director of Mofa Coffee. “Mofa” in her local dialect means “woman or meri” and she has captured Mofa as her name, brand and logo.
She entered the political scene in 2017 as an independent candidate and came fourth out of 38 candidates for the Henganofi Open seat.
Ms Giheno has served on several notable boards, namely Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority, University of Goroka Audit Committee, PNG-Australia Alumni Association (Port Moresby and Goroka Chapter) and other school boards and working committees.
PM Marape said a vote for Ms Giheno would ensure Henganofi representation in the Pangu-led Government to be formed after the elections.
He was accompanied by Goroka MP Hon. Aiye Tambua and Daulo MP and Minister for Environment Conservation and Climate Change Hon. Pogio Ghate, as well as Pangu candidates John Boito (Obura-Wonenera) and Raymond Unasi.
The Prime Minister had earlier campaigned for Minister Ghate at Daulo before a similar huge crowd.
Henganofi Station turned into a sea of green as Pangu supporters from all corners of the district converged there to hear PM Marape and give support to candidate Ms Giheno.
“What’s wrong about a woman?” PM Marape posed to the crowd.
“A mother, a sister, someone who carries the burden of the country, a woman who knows how to look after the place, a woman who knows the needs of her community.
“There were so many applicants to contest for Henganofi, under the Pangu banner, but we decided to give Mofa Nina Giheno the chance.
“She is a Kafetina woman who deserves your votes.
“Don’t waste five minutes of your time voting for someone else, because Pangu Pati will be forming Government, that I can say with 100 per cent certainty.
“Pangu Pati, and our coalition partners, will be forming Government and I want Mofa Nina Giheno to be in the engine room.”