Farmers benefit from chainsaws through the SEGES programme

Frank Short 14-Jun-2021

The Island Sun newspaper today reported that two cocoa farmer groups in North and Central Guadalcanal are the latest beneficiaries of chainsaws under

Soltuna and Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands will display their products for promotion and sales at World Expo in Dubai this year

Frank Short 13-Jun-2021

The National Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SolTuna and Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands Ltd to purchase and promote th

Four SI companies joined in the global campaign on 8 June to clean the ocean of rubbish and debris around Munda

Frank Short 13-Jun-2021

Solomon Airlines, Our Telekom, Soltuna and Dive Munda joined forces on 8 June, to clean up ocean debris in the Western Province on 2021 ‘World O

Website updated – to better serve the Solomon Islands.

Frank Short 13-Jun-2021

My website to aid the Solomon Islands and to give news of events occurring has been updated to give better coverage of Solomon Islands affairs on a da

Renbel kava farmers get farming tools from MAL

Frank Short 12-Jun-2021

Kava project recipients in Renbel Province have expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).

New office for public health lab expected in four to five months.

Frank Short 12-Jun-2021

The Solomon Star newspaper today, Thursday, reported that a ground breaking ceremony for a new office space worth of $827,068.00 for the National

Cervical cancer and NCDs highlighted by the Premier of Isabel Province.

Frank Short 12-Jun-2021

Since the Prime Ministers successful visit a few days ago to Isabel to celebrate the Provinces ‘Appointed Day,’ the local media has focuse

An estimated 5,300 SI employees lost their jobs due to Covid-19

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands has estimated that 5,300 employees lost their jobs due to Covid-19 last year.

Try to manage stress to reduce physical health problems

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

I was looking at a photo today of people at a crowded bus stop in Honiara and I tried to imagine what life must be like for many in Solomon Islands wi

Laboratory being constructed at the Good Samaritan Hospital with donated funding

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

Work on the Good Samaritan hospital laboratory is progressing according to Dr Gregory Jilini under Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Medical Ser

Timely innovation to aid agribusinesses in Solomon Islands

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

I came across the following article, today, published on ‘First 500’ – a publication I was not previously aware of.

Restrictions on international flights saw big drop in visitor arrivals

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

A significant decline in international arrivals was recorded since restrictions were imposed on International flights by the Solomon Islands Governmen

New Zealand charity offers support with orthotics, prosthetics and general rehabilitation

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

As readers at home will know a modular building was received by the National Referral Hospital (NRH) last September following an appeal and the buildi

RSIPF Patrol Boat Gizo assists with shipment of medical supplies to Temotu

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) dispatched 6 cubic meters of medical supplies to Temotu Province on board the police patrol boat wh

Looking at Solomon Islands Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) and its mandate.

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

Under the provisions of local legislation CEMA is tasked with regulating commodities under its regulator function

NZ Save the Children helping our close neighbour Fiji with grocery packs for desperate families

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

While in the Solomon Islands the government with the work of the MHMS, front line personnel and diplomatic partners and international agencies has so-

Jargon investigated and explained

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

A couple of days ago I wrote saying a ground breaking ceremony for a new office space for a National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) was held in Honia

SI MHMS has issued a medical advisory alert to all parents to protect their children from diarrhea.

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

The special advisory notice was published in today’s edition of the Solomon Star newspaper, and I quote it because of its essential health warni

Child protection training given to communities and schools with advice on disability inclusiveness and equality

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

I was pleased to read in the Island Sun newspaper of a World Vision sponsored programme delivered recently to four communities and four schools

The NRH completes a mid-term review and planning objectives

Frank Short 11-Jun-2021

It was reported in the Solomon Times Online, today, that the Senior Executive Management of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) and Nat

A call for NZ to follow Pacific neighbours and implement sugar taxes

Frank Short 10-Jun-2021

Radio New Zealand reported in a news bulletin today, Wednesday, that a researcher says New Zealand needs to follow the example set by its Pacific

CEMA’s Revitalisation and Recapitalisation Strategy 2021 – 2027 unfolding.

Frank Short 10-Jun-2021

News in the Island Sun newspaper today, Friday, said the Export Commodity Market Authority (CEMA) Trading Centre at Noro is expected to reopen at the

Solomon Island’s transport network to be boosted with $150 million support from the ADB

frank short 07-Jun-2021

News relayed in an article in the Solomon Times Online today said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved support of almost $150 million to boos

WHO reportedly to launch a framework called ‘Action the Promises’ furthering the cause of the PWD community

frank short 07-Jun-2021

The local workshop on inclusivity for persons with disability held in Honiara has ended. Irwin Angika a staff reporter with the Island Sun newspape

The bigger picture

frank short 07-Jun-2021

According to today’s Solomon Star newspaper, Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare had his 2nd dose of COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine yesterday mornin

Persons with disability teach what the word means leaving SI journalists with admiration, sadness and respect

frank short 07-Jun-2021

Writing today in the Island Sun newspaper, Irwin Angiki, wrote about disability and a workshop held in Honiara yesterday. This is Irwin's stor

SI Paramount Chief issues a warning about fake land owners

frank short 07-Jun-2021

Mr.John Saketala, a Paramount Chief of Ghaobata House of Chiefs in East Guadalcanal, has warned people not to purchase land outside of the East Honiar

Nutrition, eating habits and wellness

frank short 06-Jun-2021

In contributing to the debate on NCDs that are a major health issue in the Solomon Islands to people and the health services, I want, today, to add a

Solomon Islanders living with disabilities are suffering from discrimination of all sorts

frank short 06-Jun-2021

In a day-three of the ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ workshop in Honiara, yesterday, participants living with disability gave powerful and

Huge interest and demand for cassava exports, says MD of Sape Farm

frank short 06-Jun-2021

One of the Government’s funded agriculture projects through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), Sape farm is bearing successful res

Educational support and training

frank short 06-Jun-2021

???????There was a quotation that came to mind as I glanced through the pages of the Solomon Times Online this morning and the quotation just about co

Pacific Islands are likely the next travel bubble

frank short 06-Jun-2021

???????In the Australian I read today, Thursday, Gerald Cockburn wrote the Pacific Islands are being tipped as the next phase in Australia’s tra

A call for Non-Communicable Disease NCD Clinics around the country

frank short 05-Jun-2021

Dr Jones Ghabu, a consultant physician for Non-Communicable Diseases at the Diabetic Centre, at the National Referral Hospital (NRH), has said there i

Vegetable, fruit and crop production training for women in West Wainoni

frank short 05-Jun-2021

The members of the West Wainoni Council of Women in East Makira of Makira Ulawa Province have undergone five sessions of training on vegetable, fruit

Looking at Taro exports from the Solomon Islands

frank short 02-Jun-2021

Last week the Solomon Star newspaper reported on the possibility of taro being exported once a secure market overseas was obtained.

Greening the national capital

frank short 02-Jun-2021

I have been reading this morning an article by Peter Forau which featured in the Island Sun newspaper and which focused on what the writer described a

Alleged fishy dealings arising from reported negotiations at the WTO in Geneva

frank short 02-Jun-2021

The Solomon Times Online published today that global talks to reign in global fisheries subsidies are failing to hold big, rich and powerful subsidize

Service, tradition and industry – a combination of stories

frank short 02-Jun-2021

When I awoke this morning I had two thoughts in mind. The first was because of the date being the 2 June.

Australian court rejects challenge to Australian government ban on foreign travel

frank short 02-Jun-2021

An interesting PA Media report from the UK today with an article by Rod McGuirk of the Associated Press writing that an Australian court has rejected

Solomon Islands as a WTO member seeing EIF benefits

frank short 02-Jun-2021

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) has acknowledged another mile stone achieved by the Solomon Islands Enhanced Integrated Fra

CEMA crucial for jobs, access to markets and for growing the rural economy

frank short 02-Jun-2021

The Prime Minister, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare has officially launched the CEMA “Revitalization and Recapitalization Strategy” and formally de

Opening of the Rade Aekoa Rural Health Clinic

frank short 02-Jun-2021

The Island Sun newspaper today gave news of the official opening of the Rade Aekoa Rural Health Clinic in Malaita, co-funded by the Japanese governmen

Lepi Holy Trinity Church

frank short 02-Jun-2021

After 33 years of encountering challenges, the people of Lepi village in Gao Bugotu constituency, Isabel province consecrated their multi-million-doll

Modified boat launched and put to operational use as a Sea Ambulance

frank short 01-Jun-2021

At the beginning of this month, I read in a MHMS press release of an important and much needed development which told of a 24 foot fiberglass boat tha

Reflecting on community policing policy initiated 24 yrs ago in the SI that works today

frank short 01-Jun-2021

In 1997 when police establishment numbers were below 700 for the whole country, given there was a strict moratorium on recruitment due to the massive

“Keeping open the possibility of expanding the trans-Tasman bubble, and looking to Pacific countries first,” says NZ Prime Minister.

frank short 01-Jun-2021

NZ’s PM meeting in New Zealand with the Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, RNZI had this to say, and I quote.

Appreciative work of the RSIPF in raising public awareness of the danger posed by Covid-19

frank short 01-Jun-2021

In keeping with the true intentions of community policing, a policy I introduced in the local police operational plans in 1997, I have been following

Solomon Islands remains Covid free after a month

frank short 01-Jun-2021

In his recent nationwide address, the Prime Minister announced that the Solomon Islands has been COVID-19 free now for more than a month.

Governor-General highlights the need for regular physical exercise to ward off illness

frank short 01-Jun-2021

His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi, GCMG, was an invited guest at the annual fun run organized by the Honiara Rotary Club recently.

Plasticwise Gizo, launch programme to address solid wastes sun as plastic

frank short 01-Jun-2021

Plasticwise Gizo is a leading local Non-Government Organisation based in Gizo Western Province. The Organisation has gained regional and international

Is changing mindsets still the biggest concern in respect of gender equality and the ending of domestic and family violence?

frank short 01-Jun-2021

In late December last year, the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan, together with representatives from the Minist

Australia's PM arrives in New Zealand for talks

frank short 01-Jun-2021

The Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has touched down in Queenstown, saying extending the trans-Tasman bubble into the Pacific is a "re

Looking at the success of the Solomon Islands Covid free status in the light of regional coronavirus outbreaks.

frank short 29-May-2021

The Solomon Islands remains free of Covid 19 and, as I have previously mentioned, credit for this is due to the efficient and effective early emergenc

Renovation of the NRH’s isolation ward nearing completion

frank short 29-May-2021

The Island Sun newspaper has reported today that the Covid-19 isolation ward renovation at the National Referral Hospital funded by the government of

Communities expected to benefit from bylaws in Malaita province

frank short 27-May-2021

I read today in the Island Sun newspaper that a total of 34 communities in five wards in Malaita province have launched and enforced their community b

85 year old but stil committed to the electoral process.

frank short 27-May-2021

The story of 85 year old Rinnie Barigakapathe from Malango in South Choiserul who was amongst the first to cast her vote during the recent by-election

Guadalcanal Noni farmers get tools and wheel barrows from MAL

frank short 27-May-2021

According to the Island Sun newspaper, today, it was said the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) through its Guadalcanal Agriculture Ext

New road upgrade for Honiara settlements facilitates better access to services

frank short 27-May-2021

People living in Kombivatu, Feraladoa, Ferakusia, and Matariu will no longer face delays when travelling to town to access services like markets, scho

Could you have silent diabetes? Here’s how to tell – and what you can do about it

frank short 27-May-2021

I am back writing about Type 2 diabetes again and I do so because of the prevalence of the disease in the Solomon Islands, the consequences of the dis

St John Ambulance personnel deserve our grateful respect and protection

frank short 27-May-2021

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) condemns in the strongest possible term the disrespect and disregard displayed towards the importan

Family Support Centre assists in reviewing Moli ward by-law after a period of 11 years

frank short 27-May-2021

According to an article in today’s Island Sun newspaper, the Family Support Centre (FSC) office recently conducted a workshop in Sukiki vil

Sawmill operators given hands-on training in West Kwara’ae

frank short 25-May-2021

The Ministry of Forestry and Research together with the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA) under the Sustainable Forest Resource Ma

Several Uni undergraduates said to have joined the SES on Australian Farms

frank short 25-May-2021

A handful of jobless local university graduates have left the country to join the Pacific Seasonal Workers Scheme this year in searching for employmen

MAL looking forward to implement MEAs national activities with FAO

frank short 25-May-2021

According to in the Island Sun newspaper in an article published today, Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) is looking forward to

The rights, needs and welfare of amputees must be supported by all advocating disability causes as part of their mandate

frank short 25-May-2021

The first letter I wrote when I introduced my website www.solomonisalandsinfocus.com in 2014 focused on the plight of a relatively young man

Australia working with SolTuna for a childcare centre for its workers.

frank short 25-May-2021

Australia’s Strongim Bisnis is working with SolTuna to establish a childcare centre at the SolTuna cannery in Noro.

Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment embraced by the UN

frank short 25-May-2021

Last week I read in the Solomon Star newspaper that the Minister for the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Freda Rangire

Too many eggs in one basket

frank short 25-May-2021

Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council president Liana Scott has said up to 80 percent of the country's GDP was tied up in tourism and wondered if

The MWYCFA Ministry one of the smallest government ministries but with the biggest mandate

frank short 25-May-2021

The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA) has welcomed the Poverty Reduction China-Solomon Islands virtual dialogue. 

Transforming digital trade and business across the Pacific

frank short 25-May-2021

As the Covid pandemic has brought a change to how business in conducted now and how digital trading will feature more post Covid, I share with you the

General hospital services as well as rural health care needs

frank short 25-May-2021

In terms of what the WHO defines as the services needed to be provided at a general hospital, they include the ability of medical staff to handle surg

Cultural Basis for Development in Solomon Islands

frank short 20-May-2021

Quoting an article by Gordon Leua Nanau and Lincy Pendeverana published in today’s edition of the Solomon Times Onlin

A new approach to CDF leading to tangible development in rural communities

frank short 20-May-2021

In writing this piece my interest is on the way CDF projects are being implemented that is ensuring tangible developments in rural communities with re

UNDP launches dialogues on disabilities rights for inclusive and resilient communities

frank short 20-May-2021

A much welcome initiative has seen the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Solomon Islands, under the Outstanding Women initiative, launch a series o

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