THE MAN WHO NAMED A NATION’S WEALTH WAS SIR YANO BELO AND THE BIRTH OF THE KINA

Sir Yano Belo, 1st Member of Parliament - Kagua Erave Electorate

by Kotu Yakopa Akema – Transformation PNG WhatsApp Group Admin

Sir Yano Belo’s legacy is etched into the very fabric of our sovereignty, not merely through his political service but through the symbolic and cultural contributions that continue to shape national identity. His journey began in the Second House of Assembly from 1968 to 1972, a period marked by the country’s gradual transition from colonial administration to self-governance.

He returned to the Third House of Assembly from 1974 to 1977, and later served in the National Parliament from 1977 to 1982, representing the people of Kagua in the Southern Highlands Province. During these formative years, Sir Yano was appointed Minister for Works, Housing and Supply under the leadership of Chief Minister Michael Somare. In this role, he led a team of Papua New Guineans across the globe from Singapore to Great Britain and Kenya recruiting engineers and studying infrastructure models to prepare the country for independence. Despite the challenges of limited literacy among many locals, Sir Michael Somare entrusted Sir Yano with the ministry, affirming his grassroots connection and leadership capacity.

Among his most enduring contributions was the design and approval of the National Parliament House. Sir Yano personally selected the architectural concept inspired by the Haus Tambaran, a design that captured the cultural essence of our country. With the support of his executive team, including William Wii, Michael Janga, and Sir Wiwa Korowi, he signed off on the design in 1978, ensuring that the building would reflect the nation’s diverse heritage. He also oversaw the development of Independence Hill, the ceremonial site where the national flag is raised each 16th September, a space that continues to symbolize the country’s freedom and unity.

Yet it is the story of the Kina that immortalizes Sir Yano’s name in every transaction across the country. On 19 April 1975, during a Cabinet meeting ahead of Independence, Sir Yano proposed the name “Kina” for the new currency’s higher denomination. Drawing from traditional shell money used in the Highlands and Momase regions, he argued that the Kina embodied strength, value, and cultural continuity. His submission was unanimously approved by the National Executive Council, alongside Sir Julius Chan’s proposal of Toea for the lower denomination.

Sir Yano later named his son Kina, a personal gesture that fused family legacy with national symbolism. He explained that while Sepik leaders had proposed Haus Tambaran and Papuan leaders’ Lakatoi for other national symbols, the Kina was his distinct offering and one that represented wealth, strength, and the ability to resolve hardship.

Despite these profound contributions, Sir Yano has expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition in recent national commemorations. He was notably absent from the 40th anniversary of the National Parliament House, a building he helped conceptualize and approve. His reflections underscore a broader concern about how living founding fathers are remembered and honoured. At 83 years old, Sir Yano remains active, recently returning from Australia with Prime Minister James Marape following a historic address to the Australian Parliament.

As we prepare to celebrate 50 years of independence, the story of Sir Yano Belo demands more than ceremonial acknowledgment as it calls for institutional recognition, legacy programming, and public education. His life bridges the pre-independence struggle, the birth of national institutions, and the enduring symbols of sovereignty. The Kina, the Parliament House, and Independence Hill are not just national assets; they are monuments to his vision, leadership, and cultural wisdom. In every note exchanged, in every law debated within the Parliament he helped design, and in every flag raised on the hill he selected, Sir Yano Belo’s legacy lives on.

It is time the nation ensures that it is not forgotten.