THE appointment of Dr Anna Naupa as the new Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) director-general was made through an independent selection process.
These were the words of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka who said she was the best applicant.
Mr Rabuka made the comments in response to criticism from Vanuatu chiefs who said the regional position should have been held by a man rather than a woman.
He told this newspaper the recruitment process was merit-based.
“She came out as the preferred candidate. In fact, she came out top of the list,” he said.
Asked whether the comments from Vanuatu could create instability within the MSG, Mr Rabuka declined to comment on the country’s position.
“I will not speak on what Vanuatu has said and their views on that particular issue. But in general, we pick the best candidate, and we’re still going with our gender-positive policies.
“We have to be considerate. I know culturally the Melanesians are new to the culture of gender equality, but it’s something that we have to grasp and go with.”
Dr Naupa became the first woman to be appointed director-general of the MSG Secretariat following a regional recruitment process involving all MSG member countries.
