Georgetown, Guyana – The tragic death of 14-year-old Joel Adams has left the community in deep sorrow, with allegations of negligence and lack of professionalism directed at the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Culture. Hon. Nima Flue-Bess, MP, Shadow Minister of Culture, Youth & Sports, has issued a statement holding the Ministry accountable for the incident that claimed the young life.
Joel Adams, who was under state deva, lost his life while participating in a swimming program traditionally overseen by a FINA-certified coach. However, the Ministry replaced the certified coach with a coach approved by the Ministry who lacked FINA certification. This change, according to Hon. Flue-Bess, compromised the program’s integrity and directly contributed to Joel’s untimely death.
Further compounding the issue, credible reports indicate that the program was conducted without certified lifeguards and swimming coaches. Instead, the organizers relied on young swimmers and their parents for supervision, failing to ensure that all officials were pool-ready, appropriately dressed, and actively involved in guiding and supervising the participants. This negligence, Flue-Bess asserts, led to inadequate supervision and the absence of required certified personnel, culminating in the tragic incident.
“The silence from the Minister of Youth, Sport, and Culture is deafening,” Flue-Bess stated, criticizing the lack of response from the Minister who is otherwise vocal on various matters. The responsibility for this tragedy, she emphasized, lies squarely with the Minister and his Ministry, which is responsible for policy, staffing, and program execution.
Flue-Bess calls for a thorough investigation into Joel Adams’ death and urges the Minister to address the issue publicly. The tragedy highlights the dire consequences of ignoring the advice and expertise of certified professionals, replacing them with inadequately qualified personnel.
As the community mourns the loss of Joel Adams, questions about safety protocols and the accountability of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, and Culture remain. The call for justice and proper oversight in youth programs is more urgent than ever to prevent such incidents in the future.
Rest in peace, Joel Adams. Your community grieves your loss and demands answers.