PRIME MINISTER, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips, on Friday, said the government is committed to preserving the Guyana Prize for Literature as a national platform for showcasing the best and brightest literary talent.
During his address at this year’s awards ceremony on Friday evening, the Prime Minister reflected on the previous suspension of the Prize, which left writers without recognition for several years. He noted that despite submissions having been collected and evaluated as far back as 2017, the awards were never presented, and participants received no explanation for the interruption from the then-government.

This, he observed, was especially disheartening for young and emerging writers who had invested time, resources, and creativity in sharing their manuscripts. Recalling the current government’s decision to revive and enhance the Prize, the Prime Minister explained that the administration saw it as a moral and cultural imperative following the pandemic to restore confidence among the literary community and to provide a consistent avenue for celebrating Guyanese storytelling.
“There was no question that the Guyana Prize for Literature had to return, but better. Our government decided to change the award cycle from biennial to annual, not only to compensate for the avoidably lost years of 2017 and 2019, but also to account for the unavoidably lost year of 2021.
“We, of course, could not make up for the profound disappointment felt by those who submitted their work in 2017 and were not even afforded the respect of an explanation of why the Prize was never held, but we could inspire, recognise, and reward the efforts of exemplary young writers,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also outlined the new elements introduced to strengthen the Prize. These included the addition of a Youth Category for promising writers aged 15 to 18, a creative non-fiction category to broaden literary recognition, and the modernisation of submission processes by accepting manuscripts electronically. These adjustments, he explained, have reduced costs and removed barriers for local writers, ensuring wider participation and inclusivity.
Reinforcing the government’s vision for safeguarding the nation’s cultural institutions, Prime Minister Phillips emphasised that literary programmes like the Guyana Prize must be protected and nurtured beyond political cycles.

“As pillars of our heritage, they must be preserved, protected and promoted.”
He further underscored the administration’s long-term commitment to sustaining the Prize.
“Speaking for the current Government of Guyana, my government and as supported by the PPP’s record of hosting the Prize, as long as this political party is in government, the Guyana Prize for Literature, an institution started in 1987 by a PNC President, Desmond Hoyte, will continue to exist and to flourish as a Guyanese institution.”
The Prime Minister also assured writers and cultural stakeholders of the government’s steadfast support and expressed confidence in celebrating future milestones of the Prize alongside them. He added that he looks forward to returning in two years to commemorate its 40th anniversary, celebrating what has become one of the country’s premier literary showcases.
The Guyana Prize for Literature Awards Ceremony is organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and remains a cornerstone for honouring and promoting literary excellence in Guyana.