PM Phillips calls for stronger communities, positive male leadership at MoM anniversary walk

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) the Honourable Mark Phillips on Sunday joined hundreds of participants in Georgetown for the Men on Mission (MoM) International Men’s Day Walk, an activity that also marked the third anniversary of the national movement aimed at strengthening families, empowering young men, and supporting vulnerable households.
The early-morning walk brought together members of the Joint Services, government officials, community groups, private-sector partners, and families. Against this backdrop, the Prime Minister delivered an address that blended pride, reflection, and a renewed call for responsible male leadership across Guyana.
Opening his remarks, Prime Minister Phillips said he stood “with deep pride and gratitude,” telling participants that they walked “not just for fitness or formality, but for purpose, unity, and commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate Guyana.” He commended the turnout and noted that the presence of men, women, and youth reflected the movement’s growing national impact.

Prime Minister Phillips reminded the gathering that when the initiative was launched by President Dr Irfaan Ali, the intention was straightforward but ambitious.

“A simple yet powerful idea” that grew into national transformation
“When we launched Men on Mission, the idea was simple yet powerful: to create a movement that helps men become their best selves so they can better serve their families, their communities, and our country.”
The Prime Minister noted that three years later, that vision has become a lived reality through the efforts of volunteers, officers, and organisers across all ten administrative regions.
He pointed out that the initiative has already supported the construction and repair of homes for pensioners, single parents, persons living with disabilities, and families displaced by fires and other disasters. Many of these interventions, he remarked, restored “dignity and hope to households that had none.”
Prime Minister Phillips said one of the proudest achievements of Men on Mission is its expanding work with at-risk boys and young men.
He highlighted that the programme now provides mentorship, literacy support, life-skills training, and confidence-building activities for young males who previously lacked support systems or positive direction.
“Many of these young men are now on a new trajectory because someone from Men on Mission took the time to guide, teach, and encourage them,” he noted.
He also emphasised MoM’s partnership with the prison system, which focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
According to the Prime Minister, the objective is to ensure that incarcerated men “re-enter society with purpose, skills, and discipline,” allowing them to contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
The Prime Minister reminded participants that the movement has grown because it is grounded in service, not recognition.
Across Regions 1 through 10, he said, “MoM volunteers have shown up, not for praise, not for award ceremonies, but because service is the highest form of leadership.”
He underscored the responsibility that men carry in shaping the next generation.
“This walk is not only a celebration. It is a reminder of the responsibility we carry to be protectors, to be builders, to be positive influences, and to be examples for the next generation of young men growing up in Guyana.”
Prime Minister Phillips also acknowledged the important role women have played in sustaining the mission, noting their consistent involvement in planning, outreach, and community support.
The Prime Minister encouraged those gathered to view the walk as a recommitment rather than a stand-alone event.
“You walked, not just for fitness or formality, but for purpose, unity and commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate Guyana,” he said, encouraging participants to carry that spirit of unity beyond the day’s activity.
He stressed that the focus must remain on uplifting boys, strengthening families, and shaping communities grounded in dignity, respect, and opportunity.
“Let this not be the end. Let it be a recommitment that each of us will continue to uplift one another, support our boys, strengthen our families, and build a Guyana where each citizen can live with dignity, respect, and opportunity.”
Prime Minister Phillips closed by reaffirming the movement’s mission.
“Together, let us continue to change lives, and we will continue to change our country for the better.”
The walk saw participation from several officials, including: Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith; Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken; Fire Chief, Gregory Wickham; Head of the Prison Service, Nicklon Elliot; Lt. Colonel Bhageshwar Murli; senior Joint Services ranks; private sector partners; civil society groups; and members of the public.