Results for Opinion

While Tonga languishes in debt as a nation owing several hundred million dollars with a dead economy and extremely high unemployment especially with our youth, we volunteer to spend $100,000,000 TOP to host the South Pacific Games....Our leaders have turned us into a beggar nation, so deeply in debt that our grandchildren and great grandchildren’s future has been sold. Faka'ofa – Sione Masa.

Kau Kalisitiane, na’e ‘ikai fakamaalohi’i ‘ehe ‘Otua fakatupu ‘o mamanii ‘a ‘Atama mo ‘Ivi kena talangata’a, he Na’ane faka’ataa pee ke na fili pea ko e konga koula mo’oni‘eni ke tau puke ke ma’u ‘aupito, ‘o ‘oua na’a faifai pea tau ta’e tokanga’i lelei.

In the maritime arena, Tonga is grappling with security of its extensive coastline as well as policing of its 676,401 sq km territory. Its remote location makes it a fertile region for transnational crime, while unauthorized exploitation of its fisheries and marine wealth in its coastal waters as well as in its EEZ has direct impact on its national economy and security.

‘I he ngaahi uike kuo maliu atuu, na’e lahi ‘a e talanga’i ‘o e lipooti ‘ae BBC fekau’aki mo e fika 1 ‘a e kakai tangata Tongaa ‘i he fu’u sisinoo (obese) kae fika 2 ‘a Ha’amoa, pea fika 1 ‘a e kakai fefine Ha’amoaa kae fika 2 ‘a Tonga ni, ‘i mamani. Ko e ma’u’anga fakamatala ‘e taha ‘oku pehee ai ‘oku 70% ‘a e kakai fefine Tongaa pea 50% ‘a e kakai tangata Tongaa ‘oku fu’u sisino, pea ko e 80% ‘o e kakai lalahi ‘o Tonga ni ‘oku sino lahi (overweight).

All the preliminary works for the Teufaiva Stadium Upgrade Project have been ready for months, but the Prime Minister has not done his part in funding the necessary funding. This is what's delaying the start of the project. ...This is a National Project, not to be treated as a personal and political football. - Takitoa Taumoepeau

The United Nations recently claimed that the Millennium Development Goal that focused on primary education increased global enrolment from 83% to 91%. Despite these gains, today it is estimated that 124 million children do not attend school and 757 million adults are illiterate.

A year after Tonga’s second democratically elected government came into power at the end of December 2014, Tongan politics is stuck in the doldrums. The repetition by PM Hon. ‘Akilisi Pohiva that his government has the will to "take action" guided by the high moral principles of "good leadership, rule of law - justice for all and the fair distribution of national wealth," so far, are just hot air. The difference between what has been said and what has happened, speaks for itself. Editor's Comment by Pesi Fonua.

PACER-Plus is shaping up as an agreement that won't fit into the Pacific reality, will have weak protections for Pacific businesses and undermines the ability of governments to enact policies to support and nurture vital Pacific industries. ...Ask any Pacific businesses person and they will tell you how hard it can be to run a business in the Pacific. ...An updated analysis shows that tariff revenue losses will actually be more than previously calculated: Pacific countries are set to lose more than USD 200 million per year (Tonga USD$6million).- Adam Wolfenden (PANG).

This is perhaps the most embarrassing and disappointing news about a Tongan government in the most recent times. This PM was well known for preaching against the previous Kings and their system of government, for not allowing justice and the voice of the people to be heard by the Government. - Rev Dr Ma'afu'otu'itonga Palu