Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has led a high-powered delegation of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to observe the 40-day funeral rites of the late Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
The solemn event, held in Wenchi, marked the beginning of a series of funeral activities that will culminate in the final burial ceremony scheduled for December this year.
Accompanying the former President were prominent NPP figures, including Former Vice President, Dr Mahamud Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Former Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Patricia Opoku Agyei and notable Members of Parliament from the Eastern Region such as Samuel Awuku, Koojo Oppong Nkrumah, Michael Okyere Baafi, and Abena Osei Asare.
The funeral drew hundreds of mourners, including local residents and NPP Party faithful.
The Wenchi Chief, who doubles as Oseawuhene and Chief Mourner Dr. Asumadu Appiah, was also present to honour his departed relative, Ernest Kumi, a native of Wenchi.
Amidst the mourning, national executives of the NPP used the occasion to rally support for the party’s Parliamentary candidate, Solomon Asumadu, urging constituents to help the NPP retain the Wenchi seat in the upcoming by-election.
During a vigil held Thursday night in honour of the late MP, NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua explained the rationale behind Solomon Asumadu’s candidacy.
“Solomon Asumadu has a mining background. When elected, he will serve on the mining committee to help streamline mining policies in Parliament.I believe his technical expertise will enable him to make meaningful contributions to policymaking in Parliament. Retaining the seat is also a way to honour the memory of Ernest Yaw Kumi,” he stated.
In a show of bipartisan solidarity, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and National Organiser Joseph Yamin, also joined the funeral rites in Wenchi to sympathise with the NPP and pay their respects to the late MP Ernest Yaw Kumi.
Tension between sympathisers of the NPP and NDC at the Wenchi funeral ground resulted in a bit of a scuffle lasting minutes when the NDC Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, entered.
By Yvonne Neequaye
