Ganjar Pranowo Offers Central Java-Papua Village Cooperation

Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo in Papua / PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAYAPURA - Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo offered cooperation between villages in Central Java and Papua in the field of education in order to develop each other's potential while advancing the region.

"I haven't been to Papua for a long time because it's still a pandemic. I'm happy today to be able to attend and meet all of you. This village is very interesting because it's a historical place in terms of education in Papua," said Ganjar, during a visit to Kampung Yoka in Papua. Heram District, Jayapura City, quoted by Antara, Friday, October 1.

According to Ganjar, Papua has many interesting stories and many great people from the area. Besides education, Ganjar continued, Yoka Village also has many other potentials that can be developed.

Therefore, it offers cooperation between villages in Central Java and Papua. Ganjar called the inter-village cooperation the term twin villages.

"I am fostering village heads in Indonesia, later twin villages can be created, between Yoka and villages in Central Java. So they can learn from each other, exchange experiences to advance their respective regions," he said.

Ganjar said that Papua has a lot of potential, such as crafts and carvings, even carvings from Papua are recognized by the international community.

"I met many foreign people, and they said that Papua is unique. The carving technique is the most unique and good because it contains a historical philosophy. This can be developed," he said.

Meanwhile, according to him, many villages in Central Java are superior in terms of technology, so there is an opportunity for village exchanges that can be a start for villages in Central Java and Papua to move forward together.

"I'll call the heads of the village organizations, whether Papdesi or Apdesi, to help realize this," said Ganjar.

Meanwhile, the Head of Yoka Village, Antonius Mebri, admitted that he was very happy that his village was visited by Governor Ganjar Pranowo and called it an extraordinary thing because there was a governor from Java who wanted to come to his village and stay in touch with local residents.

"He saw what developments were here. Besides, this is indeed a village of civilization, because the beginning of education in Papua came from this village. In the past the Dutch built an elementary education school in our village, called YVVS. It was a civil service school here," he said.

Antonius also welcomed Ganjar's offer regarding cooperation between Central Java and Yoka villages because it was really needed so that his village could be more advanced.

"The offer is indeed very good because we in the eastern region are a bit behind, we have to learn a lot from developed regions. Instead of comparative studies abroad, it is better for us to work together between villages. We will definitely follow up on Pak Ganjar's offer," he said.