sir michael somare

GRAND CHIEF SIR MICHAEL THOMAS SOMARE CGL, GCMG, CH, CF, SSI. KStJ, KSG

1^st Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea

Bio-Data

Date of Birth : 9 April 1936

Place of Birth : Rabaul, East New Britain Province

Occupation : Former Member of Parliament; represented the people of East Sepik Province.

Founder of the National Alliance Party(NA)

EDUCATION

Sir Michael was raised in Karau village in the Murik Lakes District of East Sepik Province.
His earliest education was in a Japanese-run primary school at Karau during World War II where he learned to read, write and count in Japanese.
Sir Michael graduated from Sogeri High School with a Leaving Certificate in 1957. This was a teaching qualification at the time, and he then taught at several primary and secondary schools.

PROFESSIONAL

Sir Michael became a radio broadcaster based in Wewak in East Sepik Province after transferring within the Public Service.
1968 : He left the Public Service to contest the elections for the second House of Assembly as a member of the Pangu Party which he had founded with others in 1967.
1975 : Sir Michael was Chief Minister, becoming Prime Minister when self-government was granted and was a key figure in the preparations for subsequent independence and the preparation and adoption of the Constitution.
1982-1985 : He was again Prime Minister and won the office a third time in 2002.

Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare – In Office as the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea: