While the country prepares to celebrate the season of love and joy, Governor General of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency, Grand Chief Sir Bob Bofeng Dadae, GCL, GCMG, KSTJ, is currently on sick leave and seeking medical treatment in Brisbane, Australia. Acting Official Secretary Mr. Bill Toraso has confirmed in a media release on the 21st of December 2023, that the Grand Chief became ill in late October and was on a medevac to Brisbane and is currently undergoing treatment. Grand Chief Sir Bob is said to be receiving treatment for a viral infection that has caused impairment to his speech, muscle, and joint movement. Toraso said that the Governor General has made good recovery in recent weeks and is now able to walk and talk. “Grand Chief Sir Bob is recovering well from the illness that struck him last October.” “It was confirmed to be a viral infection which the doctors are treating our Governor General for.” “Grand Chief Sir Bob is expected to make further progress in the coming weeks, and we hope to have him back in the country in the new the year.” Toraso acknowledged and thanked our Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso for their continued support to our Governor General through their visits in recent weeks. “I also want to thank many Papua New Guineans who have expressed kind thoughts and well wishes to our Governor General,” Mr. Toraso said. Furthermore, the Acting Official Secretary has conveyed on behalf of the Office of the Governor General his gratitude to Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroi Eoe, and Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika who have assumed the role of acting Vice Regal since the Governor General’s departure. Speaker of National Parliament Job Pomat is now the acting Governor General.