Re-defining the Role of Tribal Leadership in the Contemporary Governance Systems of Papua New Guinea

Many former European colonies adopted Western leadership models and governance systems after becoming independent, believing that these systems were appropriate to facilitate social and economic development and promote good governance in their countries. This paper argues that the Western leadership systems (i.e. based on the adopted Western governance structures, models and institutions) at the local level are undermining the authority and influence of tribal leaders. Western leadership systems can result in a lack of influential leadership in community mobilisation efforts, community involvement and participation in the development process. The paper suggests that there is a need to identify an appropriate local level governance structure that incorporates indigenous leadership and social structures, which would enable tribal leaders and the people to be more actively involved in the development process. The involvement of tribal leaders would provide influential leadership at the village and community level in the development process, something that is frequently lacking in the current local level governance systems in Papua New Guinea.