Afamasaga Rico Tupai
Afamasaga Lepuiai Rico Tupa'i (born ~1969)[1] is a Samoan politician and Cabinet Minister. He is a member of the Human Rights Protection Party.
Afamasaga Rico Tupa'i | |
|---|---|
Tupa'i in 2018 | |
| Minister of Communication and Information Technology | |
| In office 18 March 2016 – 24 May 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi |
| Preceded by | Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveau |
| Succeeded by | Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo |
| Member of the Samoa Parliament for A'ana Alofi No.3 | |
| In office 4 March 2016 – 9 April 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster |
| Succeeded by | Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Human Rights Protection Party |
Tupa'i previously worked in the media, including media agency Skylite, the Samoan Department of Broadcasting, and as one of the founders of Fiji's Mai TV.[2] He has also worked for Digicel Pacific[2] and the National University of Samoa.[3] He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Samoa at the 2016 Samoan general election, and appointed Minister of Communication and Information Technology.[4][5]
In March 2021 Tupai was accused of extracting A$90,000 from an Australian investor seeking to establish a business in Samoa.[6][7] He subsequently lost his seat in the April 2021 Samoan general election.[8]
References Edit
- ^ Sarafina Sanerivi (19 March 2016). "Afamasaga's wonderful surprise". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ a b "Afamasaga Lepuia'i Rico Tupai". Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Hon. Afamasaga Lepuiai Rico Tupai". Government of Samoa. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Many New Faces in Samoa Cabinet". Talanei. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ "Former Samoa deputy PM left out of cabinet". RNZ. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
- ^ Marieta H Ilalio (18 March 2021). "Minister Denies Serious Allegations by Australian Investor". Samoa Global News. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Lagi Keresoma (19 March 2021). ""Minister Afamasaga Rico Tupa'i should be investigated" says Businessman Graham Liao". Talamua. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Seia Lavilavi Soloi (13 April 2021). "Five Cabinet Minister lose seats after polls". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 29 May 2021.