Brussels, 08 March 2021/OACPS: The Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) is deeply saddened to learn of the untimely demise of Dr. Henry Okole on 5 March 2021, former Chief of Staff for the then Secretary-General, Sir John Rumet Kaputin, during the period 2005-2010.

A citizen of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Dr. Okole was appointed to the post of Director for the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs in 2020. A former academic at the University of Papua New Guinea, he was also a senior Research Fellow with the PNG National Research Institute.

A formidable academic and a popular colleague, Dr. Okole will always be remembered for his professionalism and sterling service to the then African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) of States. The Secretariat conveys its sincerest condolences to the friends and family of this former colleague, and to the Government and people of Papua New Guinea.