ʻAkilisi Pōhiva

ʻAkilisi Pōhiva, born on April seventh, nineteen forty-one, was a prominent Tongan politician and educator who played a pivotal role in the pro-democracy movement in Tonga. As a key figure in the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands, he dedicated his life to advocating for democratic reforms and the rights of the Tongan people.

His political career culminated in his appointment as Prime Minister of Tonga in two thousand fourteen, a position he held until his passing in two thousand nineteen. Notably, he was only the fourth commoner to ascend to this esteemed role, following in the footsteps of earlier leaders such as Shirley Baker, Siosateki Tonga, and Feleti Sevele.

What set ʻAkilisi apart was his historic election by Parliament, marking him as the first commoner to achieve this distinction without the King's direct appointment. His leadership was characterized by a commitment to transparency and democratic governance, making significant strides in the political landscape of Tonga.