Parliament will resume its proceedings today July 8 following the unexpected death of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia.
The adjournment came after Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin broke the news to the House during Monday’s session. He described Kumi’s passing as a complete shock, noting that there had been no prior reports of illness. Kumi, who was elected in 2024, was widely regarded by his colleagues as energetic, dedicated, and deeply committed to public service.
“Mr. Speaker, this is very sad. I break this unfortunate news with great regret and hesitation, but it is my duty to do so” he noted.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga supported the call for an adjournment, which was subsequently granted by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor. Parliamentary business has been postponed until Tuesday, July 8, in honour of the late MP.
“We extend our condolences to them. Our prayers are with them, and as a House, we share in this profound grief. This is not just a loss for the Minority, as he was first a member of this House before joining the Minority,” Mr Ayariga said.
“So, Mr Speaker, I join my colleagues in requesting an adjournment so that we can all take time to reflect and support one another.”
A Brief Political Profile
Ernest Yaw Kumi, who passed away at the age of 40, was a rising star within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and a first-time Member of Parliament representing the Akwatia Constituency.
Kumi entered Parliament after winning the Akwatia seat in the 2024 general elections with 19,269 votes, defeating his closest contender, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate Henry Yiadom Boakye, who polled 17,206 votes. His victory was seen as a significant achievement, given the constituency’s competitive political landscape.
Before that, Kumi had made headlines in 2023 when he unseated then-incumbent MP Ama Sey during the NPP’s parliamentary primaries, signaling a generational shift within the party’s local leadership.
Despite his promising rise, Kumi’s parliamentary career faced early turbulence. His eligibility to serve as MP was challenged in court, leading to a protracted legal battle.
In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court convicted him of contempt after he defied an injunction that sought to prevent his swearing-in. His failure to appear for sentencing resulted in a bench warrant being issued for his arrest.
However, that chapter took a dramatic turn in June 2025 when the Supreme Court overturned the contempt conviction in a 4–1 majority ruling.
The apex court found that the High Court’s judgment had been compromised by judicial bias, effectively clearing the path for Kumi to serve without legal impediment.
His untimely death has now brought a premature end to what many saw as the beginning of a promising political career.
The Vacuum in the Chamber
News of his passing on Monday, July 7, 2025, sent shockwaves through the Chamber, with both New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs expressing deep sorrow.
The atmosphere in Parliament was sombre, as colleagues paid tribute to Kumi, remembering him as a gentle and calm figure who served with dedication.
In a symbolic gesture of grief, Minority Chief Whip and Tolon MP, Habib Iddrisu, draped his seat in red, marking the solemn occasion and reflecting the collective sadness shared by the House.
Tributes from Parliament and Party Members
Tributes have since poured in from fellow lawmakers, political leaders and constituents, all remembering Kumi for his humility, tireless work ethic, and service to the people of Akwatia and Ghana as a whole.
Former Vice President and 2024 flagbearer of the party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has extended his condolences to the family of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the late Member of Parliament for Akwatia, following news of his unexpected death.
In a brief message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Bawumia expressed his sorrow and praised the late legislator’s dedication to public service.
“I have received with sadness the passing of Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi, MP for Akwatia Constituency. Ernest was a loyal patriot. My condolences to the immediate family. May his soul rest in peace,” his post read.
I have received with sadness the passing of Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi, MP Akwatia Constituency. Ernest was a loyal patriot.
My condolences to the immediate family. May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/KfFC6jhjqi
— Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (@MBawumia) July 7, 2025
The former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has joined the nation in mourning the sudden death of Ernest Yaw Kumi, describing the loss as a deeply personal and painful moment.
In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook on Monday, July 7, Akufo-Addo said he was “devastated” by the news and praised the late MP’s strong connection with party supporters, constituents, and all who knew him.
Akufo-Addo extended his sympathies to the bereaved family, the Parliament of Ghana, and residents of Akwatia, offering his support during what he called an “unimaginably difficult time.”
What’s Next?
As the family of the late Ernest Yaw Kumi begins preparations for his burial in accordance with religious customs and traditional rites, attention is also turning to the constitutional process that follows the passing of a sitting Member of Parliament in Ghana.
In line with the country’s electoral laws, the Clerk of Parliament is mandated to formally inform the Electoral Commission (EC) of the vacancy within seven days of the MP’s death. Once notified, the EC is required to organize a by-election to fill the vacant Akwatia seat within 60 days.
Political parties are expected to begin the process of selecting new candidates to contest in the upcoming by-election.
