PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Dr Ian McDonald, describing him as “a literary figure of worth and one of the Caribbean’s distinguished sons.”

In a message of condolence, the President reflected on the poet and writer’s pan-Caribbean identity, noting that McDonald was “the Caribbean made flesh,” with roots stretching across Antigua, Trinidad, and Guyana, the country that claimed the fullness of his years.

President Ali paid tribute to McDonald’s decades of literary contribution, calling him “a poet of rare grace” and “a keeper of our fragile, fierce cultural flame.”

He highlighted how McDonald’s writing captured the beauty of the region’s natural landscapes, honoured the dignity of working people, and celebrated the achievements of Caribbean cricketers.

The President also recalled McDonald’s influential weekly newspaper columns, through which he encouraged Guyanese readers to engage more deeply with literature, guiding them toward works that would “enrich our minds and touch our souls.”

A lifelong sportsman, McDonald was remembered for his passion for both cricket and lawn tennis, which the President described as reflections of his broader love of life. His long service to Guyana’s sugar industry was also acknowledged as part of his enduring legacy.

President Ali noted the timing of McDonald’s death felt especially poignant, coming at a moment when “the hour is so dark and our nation longs for the wisdom that flowed from his pen.”

Extending condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, as well as his own family, President Ali closed his message with a wish that McDonald’s soul find “the peace that his words so abundantly gave.”