BY NED GAGAHE
As Solomon Islands prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of Independence in 2028, prominent academic and SINU Vice Chancellor Professor Transform Aqorau calls for a nationwide conversation on the country’s future, urging leaders and citizens to seize what he describes a rare opportunity to reshape the nation’s next 50 years.
In an article published recently on his Facebook page, Professor Aqorau said the two years leading up to the Golden Jubilee should be more than a period of celebration, but a time for reflection, renewal and bold national thinking.
Quoting William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar — “There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune” — Professor Aqorau said Solomon Islands is at a critical point in its history where decisive action could determine the country’s long-term future.
“Anniversaries are not merely occasions for celebration; they are opportunities for reflection, renewal, and bold thinking about the future,” he wrote.
Professor Aqorau outlined several key areas that he believes deserve national attention before the country reaches its 50th Independence anniversary.
Among them is the reform of the country’s public financial management system, including the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund to protect and grow national wealth for future generations.
He also calls for major reforms in the natural resources sector to ensure Solomon Islanders play a much greater role in owning, managing and benefiting from the country’s resources.
According to Professor Aqorau, the long-term goal should be the “Solomonisation” of the sector, with the aim to strengthen local capacity, enterprise and shared prosperity.
On education, he said the system should be redesigned to prepare young people not only for employment but also for innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and responsible citizenship.
He further advocated for genuine decentralisation by devolving more government functions, decision-making powers and resources to provincial governments, arguing that development is more effective when decisions are made closer to local communities.
Professor Aqorau said that these issues should not be viewed through political lens but as national priorities that extend beyond governments, political parties and election cycles.
“These are not political questions. They are national questions,” he said.
He concluded by urging Solomon Islanders to recognise the significance of the current moment, saying the country’s approach over the next two years could shape its development for decades to come.
“If we recognise it and act wisely, it could lead us towards a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous nation over the next fifty years. If we let it pass, such an opportunity may not return for another generation,” he wrote.
Photo: Supplied
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