The Guyana government has nothing to do with the release of the Guyana Prize shortlist

Dear Editor,

There are some issues concerning the Guyana Prize for Literature that need to be addressed, and I will articulate them.  However, I will treat just one of them here at this time.

Mr Ruel Johnson in a letter appearing in Stabroek News on September 3, 2013, raises questions about the release of the Guyana Prize shortlist (‘Why has the shortlist for the Guyana Prize not been released yet?’).  The Management Committee wishes to specify that at the time when Mr Johnson’ letter appeared, the shortlist had already been released to the public, and had already been carried in some sections of the media.

Secondly, the Government of Guyana provides funds for the Guyana Prize, but has nothing to do with the release of the shortlist or any other information about the Prize.  Contrary to the impression created by Mr Johnson, we are aware of no effort by the government to intervene in this process.

 

Yours faithfully,
Al Creighton
Secretary
Management Committee