Parliament has suspended its sitting on Monday, July 7, 2025, following the sudden death of Ernest Kumi, Member of Parliament for Akwatia.
The Speaker of Parliament announced that proceedings will resume on Tuesday, July 8, to allow members to mourn their colleague.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin led tributes in the House, describing Kumi as a promising legislator whose contributions, though brief, were impactful.
“Mr. Speaker, we have lost a bright and dedicated young man whose future in public service was full of potential,” Afenyo-Markin said while calling for the suspension of proceedings in honour of the late MP.
The House observed a moment of silence for the 40-year-old lawmaker, who had only recently returned to full parliamentary duties after a protracted legal battle. He won the Akwatia seat in the 2024 elections, polling 19,269 votes to defeat the NDC’s Henry Yiadom Boakye.
Kumi’s political journey was marked by controversy, particularly a February 2025 contempt conviction by the Koforidua High Court for defying an injunction against his swearing-in.
However, the Supreme Court in June cleared him of wrongdoing, citing judicial bias. Prior to politics, Kumi held advanced degrees in law, governance, and international politics, and served on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee and the House Committee.
His passing is being felt across the political divide as tributes continue to pour in.
