Steve Abana
Steve Abana | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1969 Fourau, Malaita, Solomon Islands |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Educator, Businessman |
| Years active | 2006–present (politics) |
| Known for | Leader of the Opposition (2010–2011), Member of Parliament for Fataleka |
Steve William Abana (born 1969 in Fourau, Malaita) is a politician from the Solomon Islands who previously represented the Fataleka as a Member of Parliament. Between August 2010 and March 2011, he held the position of Leader of the Opposition.
Abana earned a Diploma in Tropical Agriculture from the Fiji College of Agriculture. Prior to entering politics, he worked as an educator at Honiara High School and subsequently established Anolpha Enterprises, a company engaged in cocoa exports during a period marked by ethnic unrest.
He secured election as MP for Fataleka in April 2006 and was appointed Minister for National Planning and Aid Coordination by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in October that year. Following political disputes, he was removed from this ministerial role in November 2007 but was reinstated by the incoming Prime Minister Derek Sikua in December 2007. As leader of the Democratic Party, Abana was instrumental in supporting Sikua’s Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement administration.
In the general election held in August 2010, the Democratic Party emerged with thirteen seats—outperforming all other parties—and Abana retained his parliamentary seat. His campaign prioritized issues such as formal recognition of tribal land rights, strategies for adapting to climate change, ambitious goals to achieve 80% renewable energy usage, and electoral reforms introducing preferential voting. Although Abana sought to become Prime Minister, he was narrowly defeated by Danny Philip with a vote count of 26 to 23. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition and created a Shadow Cabinet.
In March 2011, Abana stepped down as Opposition Leader to enable a renewal within the opposition ranks. Shortly thereafter, he along with several other MPs joined the government side, thereby reinforcing Prime Minister Philip’s majority.