President mourns passing of literary icon Ian McDonald

President Dr Irfaan Ali has expressed condolences on the passing of Dr Ian McDonald, describing him as a distinguished Caribbean literary figure whose life and writing embodied the region’s spirit.

In a statement, Ali said McDonald’s Caribbean identity spanned Antigua, Trinidad and Guyana, calling him “the Caribbean made flesh.”

The President praised McDonald as a poet and columnist whose work celebrated the Caribbean’s natural beauty, honoured its working people and captured the achievements of its cricketers.

He said McDonald’s weekly newspaper columns encouraged Guyanese readers to engage more deeply with literature.

Ali also highlighted McDonald’s passion for cricket and lawn tennis, noting he excelled in the latter as well, and recalled his decades of service to Guyana’s sugar industry.

The President said McDonald’s wisdom and words were needed now more than ever, describing his death as a profound loss for the nation.

On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, and on behalf of his own family, Ali extended condolences to McDonald’s loved ones.