Here is a complete list of all the former Prime Ministers of Guyana, from independence in 1966 to the present. Guyana operates under a semi-presidential system, and the Prime Minister is the second highest political office, often functioning as a key figure in the executive branch.
List of Former Prime Ministers of Guyana
| Name | Term of Office | Party | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forbes Burnham | 1966 – 1980 | People’s National Congress (PNC) | Became Executive President in 1980 |
| Ptolemy Reid | 1980 – 1984 | PNC | Former Deputy PM; succeeded Burnham |
| Desmond Hoyte | 1984 – 1985 | PNC | Became President after Burnham’s death |
| Hamilton Green | 1985 – 1992 | PNC | Served under President Hoyte |
| Sam Hinds (1st term) | Oct 1992 – Mar 1997 | PPP | Became President after Cheddi Jagan’s death |
| Janet Jagan | Mar 1997 – Dec 1997 | PPP | Appointed PM before becoming President |
| Sam Hinds (2nd term) | Dec 1997 – May 2015 | PPP | Longest-serving PM in Guyana’s history |
| Moses Nagamootoo | May 2015 – Aug 2020 | APNU–AFC (Alliance for Change) | Appointed under Pres. David Granger |
| Mark Phillips | Aug 2020 – Present | PPP | Current PM under President Irfaan Ali |
Notes:
- Sam Hinds served two non-consecutive terms and is the only person to act as both Prime Minister and President of Guyana.
- Janet Jagan, widow of Cheddi Jagan, was briefly Prime Minister before becoming Guyana’s first female President.
- Forbes Burnham, a dominant figure in Guyanese politics, transitioned from PM to the country’s first Executive President in 1980.
