Siaosi Taimani ʻAho (died 27 April 2018)[1] was a Tongan diplomat, civil servant, politician, and Cabinet minister. He was Tonga's first Commissioner for Public Relations.
Siaosi Taimani ʻAho | |
|---|---|
 ʻAho in 2009 | |
| Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services | |
| In office 17 May 2006 – 2009 | |
| Prime Minister | Feleti Sevele |
| Preceded by | Sitenimoa Valevale |
| Attorney General of Tonga | |
| In office 24 September 2004 – 17 May 2006 | |
| Prime Minister | Feleti Sevele 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata |
| Preceded by | Baron Fielakepa |
| Succeeded by | ʻAlisi Afeaki Taumoepeau |
| Commissioner for Public Relations | |
| In office 2001–2004 | |
| Prime Minister | 'Ulukalala Lavaka Ata |
| Preceded by | none (office established) |
| Succeeded by | Penisimani Fonua |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 27 April 2018 |
In 1982 he was appointed Secretary to the Cabinet. He was later made secretary for Foreign Affairs.[2] In July 1987 he was appointed Tonga's ambassador to the United States of America.[3]
In 2001, he was appointed as Tonga's first Commissioner for Public Relations, with the task of investigating complaints about maladministration in government departments.[1] In 2004 he asked for the Commissioner's office to have more powers to compel government agencies to release information.[4]
In 2004 he was appointed Attorney General of Tonga and Minister of Justice, replacing Baron Fielakepa who had been in the post for only a month.[2][5] During the 2005 Tongan public service strike he accused the Tongan Public Service Association of holding the country hostage.[6] A cabinet reshuffle in 2006 saw him surrender his portfolios and become Minister of Police, Prisons and Fire Services instead.[7] He was police minister during the 2006 Nukuʻalofa riots, and was responsible for the prolonged state of emergency which followed.[8][9] Following reports that many of those detained after the riots had been abused by police and soldiers, he called the reports "one-sided".[10]
In March 2009 he was appointed as Tonga's first High Commissioner to New Zealand.[11] The High Commission was closed in 2011 for financial reasons.[12]
ʻAho died on 27 April 2018 following an undisclosed illness.[1]
Honours
edit- National honours
Order of Queen Sālote Tupou III, Knight Grand Cross (31 July 2008).[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c Kalino Latu (1 May 2018). "Staff pay tributes to Ombudsman pioneer Siaosi Taimani 'Aho". Kaniva Tonga. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Tongan King appoints third justice minister in two months". RNZ. 25 September 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Diplomatic Representation for Tonga". US Department of State. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Tonga's Commissioner for Public Relations asks for greater powers". RNZ. 23 June 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Siaosi Taimani 'Aho appointed Attorney General, Minister of Justice". Matangi Tonga. 24 September 2004. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
- ^ "Tongan justice minister says strikers holding country hostage". RNZ. 29 August 2005. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "A cabinet reshuffle takes place in Tonga". RNZ. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Tongan police minister says police should continue to have extra powers". RNZ. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Emergency powers in Tonga's capital won't go until people assure Government they feel safe". RNZ. 25 February 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Tongan minister questions rights of those caught in riots". RNZ. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Tonga opening High Commission in Wellington because of growing links - Prime Minister Sevele". RNZ. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Tongan consulate plans on the table". New Zealand Herald. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
- ^ "Royal orders presented at Palace". Matangi Tonga. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.