Ghana is in mourning following the sudden and shocking death of Ernest Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, who passed away on Monday, July 7th, 2025.
In a solemn and emotional gesture, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, alongside the Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, and other Members of Parliament, visited the family of the late MP to offer their condolences and support during this difficult time.
NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, was also spotted among the delegation.
The late Ernest Kumi, a member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), was a first-time MP who won the Akwatia seat in the 2024 parliamentary elections with 19,269 votes, defeating Henry Yiadom Boakye of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
His unexpected demise sent shockwaves through Parliament and the nation at large, prompting an immediate adjournment of proceedings on the day of his death.
Both the Majority and Minority sides of the House jointly requested the adjournment, which was approved by the Speaker of Parliament.
A moment of silence was observed in his honour, with his seat draped in red cloth in line with Ghanaian tradition to signify the passage of life.
The red-draped seat stood as a haunting symbol of loss and a reminder of the fragility of life, especially in public service.
The mood within the parliamentary chamber was visibly sombre, as colleagues and friends struggled to come to terms with the loss of one of their own.
While the cause of his death has not yet been officially disclosed, Kumi’s passing marks a tragic end to a brief but eventful political journey.
His entry into Parliament was not without controversy.
He faced a legal battle after the 2024 elections, culminating in a contempt conviction by the Koforidua High Court in February 2025 for defying an injunction against his swearing-in.
A bench warrant was subsequently issued after he failed to appear for sentencing.
However, his name was cleared in June when the Supreme Court, in a 4–1 ruling, overturned the conviction, citing judicial bias in the proceedings.
The ruling vindicated Kumi and marked a turning point in what had been a turbulent entry into national politics.
Just as he seemed poised to put the legal battles behind him and serve his constituents fully, his promising career was cut short.
Beyond politics, Ernest Kumi was a respected academic and intellectual.
He held multiple degrees, including a Master of Science in Defence and International Politics and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB).
In Parliament, he served diligently on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee as well as the House Committee, contributing to national discourse and policy development in his short tenure.
His death leaves a void in the Akwatia constituency and within the ranks of the NPP. Tributes continue to pour in from across the political divide, reflecting the sense of loss felt nationwide.
The people of Akwatia, who entrusted him with their mandate, are left with sorrow and unanswered questions about the cause of his sudden death.
Plans for his funeral and final rites are expected to be announced by the family in consultation with the party and state authorities.
By Ruth Sekyi
