Meleane Vasitai Leaaepeni Falemaka participated in the Marrakech 2024 World Para Athletics Grand Prix held in Morocco from April 21st to 29th, aiming to complete her classification in the women’s discus throw event. Success in this event could pave her way to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This 8th edition of the International Para-Athletics Meeting took place from April 26th to 28th at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI. This meeting brought together athletes from more than 64 countries across the Arab world, Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. The Grand…
Author: Siosifa Pomana
The Tongan government launched its first apprenticeship program today designed to tackle youth unemployment and the growing demand for skilled workers. The initiative, led by the Department of Labour under the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, focuses on the culinary profession, with the potential to expand to other sectors in the future. The Minister for the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development, Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu, who was chief guest at the event, said that this pilot program addresses the critical need to bridge the gap between employers, educational institutions, and young people. The program seeks to improve communication…
The Government has given the green light to local network operators to start working on 5G technology. This move, led by the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) is a big leap towards better telecommunications in Tonga. The two major local networks, Tonga Communications Corporation and Digicel, can now start designing and testing the new 5G network, which is expected to bring faster and more reliable internet and phone connections. The allocated spectrum, focusing on bands n41 and n78 of the 5G NR bands, promises to revolutionise connectivity and enhance digital experiences. This…
Tonga Power Limited can’t rule out that last week’s widespread blackout in Tongatapu will stop as it blames the outages on a generator controller. Tonga Power customers were outraged at the disruptions they had to endure last week apparently due to a problem with the integration of CoMaps controllers with the diesel gensets. The CoMaps controllers which are designed to manage power generation from various sources including wind, solar, and diesel, failed to adapt to different weather conditions like rainy, sunny, and cloudy days and so caused the system to power out. Tonga Power said in a media release that…
The 52nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) convened in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, from November 6 to 10, 2023, with a call for collective support and partnerships to ensure the success of the region’s strategic policy document, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Heads of State, Government, and Territories, including Tonga, participated in discussions revolving around the theme “Our Voices, Our Choices, Our Pacific Way: Promote, Partner, Prosper.” The Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, part of the Tonga delegation led by the Ministry of Trade & Economic Development (MTED), was represented by Siosifa Pomana attending on behalf…
The Tonga National Business Conference is set to make a significant impact on the Kingdom’s business landscape as it kicked off today with the theme “Together We Can.” The four-day conference, running from October 17 to 20, hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development and in collaboration with the Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, brings together leaders, experts, and stakeholders to chart a course towards a brighter economic future. Mr. Sam Vea, the President of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce & Industry, welcomed the participants, reinforcing the idea that progress in the Tongan business sector can only…
Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni is leading Tonga’s delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders summit at the White House on September 25. President Joe Biden will host this second U.S.-Pacific Island Forum summit taking place on September 25-26, a meeting seen as a high-profile counter-move on China’s increasing presence in the region. The White House said in a Statement the Summit will reaffirm the United States commitment to shared regional priorities and cooperation on key issues such as climate change, economic growth, sustainable development, health and maritime security. “The meeting with the US President is an opportunity for us to…
Tonga is bracing for record low temperatures as the Pacific Island shivers through one of its coldest winters ever. With a national record low of 8.7°C recorded in September 1994, the current cold snap is setting new levels amid Tonga’s changing climate patterns. The Tonga Meteorological Services (TMS) records show that since June the average daily temperature of 16°C reached its lowest this year at the end of July with 9.3°C recorded at the Lapaha village weather station. August temperatures are expected to stay within that range. TMS issued an El Niño Alert in July which told Tongans to prepare…
The Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark has been providing free medical treatment to people in Tonga for the past week, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. “I am grateful for the free treatment my children received on the Peace Ark,” said Mele Maka from Tatakamotonga Village. “I brought my 9 year-old son, Fine’eva, and 7 year-old daughter, Silia, to check their ears, eyes and teeth. I’m very pleased to be told that they’re both in good health.” Mele’s children are amongst many who are benefitting from the Peace Ark’s visit. The ship has a full complement of doctors,…