The Akwatia constituency’s Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has passed away. Sources familiar with the situation confirmed his death on Monday, July 7, 2025, although the exact circumstances surrounding his demise remain unclear.
As of now, neither Parliament nor the NPP leadership has issued an official statement or disclosed funeral plans. Mr. Kumi was in his first term, having secured the Akwatia seat in the highly contested December 2024 general elections.
Akwatia, a constituency in Ghana’s Eastern Region, was embroiled in controversy following Mr. Kumi’s victory, which was marred by allegations of electoral malpractices and vote-buying.
The NDC subsequently challenged the outcome in court, sparking a heated legal battle. The Koforidua High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, issued an interim injunction restraining Kumi from presenting himself as MP and participating in parliamentary proceedings.
However, Kumi allegedly flouted the injunction, leading to contempt charges and a bench warrant for his arrest.
In a significant legal turnaround, the Supreme Court quashed the contempt conviction and prohibited Justice Amedahe from proceeding with sentencing. The apex court’s decision followed a judicial review application filed by Kumi’s legal team, led by Gary Nimako-Marfo, the NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs.
The team argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction to hear the election petition, citing the Electoral Commission’s failure to publish a gazette notification of the parliamentary results – a crucial procedural requirement.
His death has shocked all, including MPs, Journalists, and the Parliamentary Service Staff
By Patience Nyadeka
