Parliamentary proceedings were temporarily halted on Monday after news broke of the untimely death of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
The Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, formally informed the House of the sad development and requested an adjournment in honour of his departed colleague.
“Mr. Speaker, it pains me deeply to convey this unfortunate news. With great reluctance, I bear the responsibility of announcing the passing of our colleague, Hon. Ernest Kumi,” he said solemnly.
He disclosed that the Minority Caucus had contacted the bereaved family and extended heartfelt sympathies to both the relatives and constituents of the late MP.
The House paused to observe a minute of silence in memory of Hon. Kumi, with visible emotion across both sides of the chamber.
Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga echoed the sentiments of his counterpart and also supported the motion to suspend the day’s session.
“Our thoughts are with the bereaved family and the Minority Caucus. Though he served on their side, Hon. Kumi was a member of this Parliament, and his loss touches us all. Let us take time to reflect and regroup,” he stated.
As a mark of respect, Hon. Kumi’s seat and microphone in Parliament were draped in red fabric — a solemn signal of mourning within the legislative house.
Hon. Ernest Kumi, aged 40, was an emerging figure within the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He secured the Akwatia seat in the 2024 parliamentary elections, pulling 19,269 votes against National Democratic Congress (NDC) contender Henry Yiadom Boakye’s 17,206.
His journey to Parliament had been marked by significant political victories, including defeating former MP Ama Sey in the 2023 NPP primaries.
However, Kumi’s time in Parliament was marred by legal controversy. In early 2025, the Koforidua High Court convicted him for contempt after he ignored a court order barring him from assuming office, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant.
In a dramatic twist, the Supreme Court overturned the conviction in June by a 4–1 majority, citing judicial bias in the earlier ruling — clearing the way for him to fully participate in parliamentary duties.
His passing casts a long shadow over Ghana’s political landscape, silencing a voice many had come to associate with resilience and ambition.
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