A brother of the deceased Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi, has given an indication of what might have caused his sudden demise.
Speaking in an interview with 3news in the evening of July 7, Edmund Apoh revealed that the late Kumi complained of chest pains early in the morning and was rushed to the hospital.
“He travelled out of the region and returned this morning, we were told he complained about chest pains, his wife drove him to a private hospital, the health personnel tried all they could to keep him stable, but we lost him. We have lost a great pillar of our family, he was our only hope,” he tearfully narrated.
Ernest Kumi passed away suddenly on July 7; leaving his family, constituents, and the New Patriotic Party in the Eastern Region in shock and mourning.
His victory in the 2024 elections came after a hard-fought and contentious battle. He became the Member of Parliament for Akwatia in the 9th Parliament, marking his first term in office.
Despite legal hurdles, he was sworn in, ready to serve his people with dedication. But just six months into his term as MP for Akwatia, tragedy has struck.
Now, his sudden death has left family, residents, and party members heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“He was not sick, I am in disbelief, during the court proceedings, I was always with him. This is painful, ” a female NPP party faithful said.
Another resident added, “We were looking forward for MP to provide job opportunities to our youthful population, his death is devastating. Such a calm and gentle soul.”
The Eastern Regional NPP in a statement described the MP, popularly known Akwatia Star boy as a dedicated public servant, whose death is untimely and a great loss to the party, his constituents, Parliament and the nation.
But beyond the grief, a political reality looms; the need for a by-election to fill the vacant seat. For now, Akwatia mourns.
Prior to the 2024 elections he defeated former NPP MP Mercy Adu Gyamfi, popularly known as Ama Sey in the NPP Primaries.
He was declared winner of the Akwatia Constituency against his contender Henry Boakye of the NDC after the December 2024 elections.
Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has formally informed Parliament about the death of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi, earlier on July 7.
“It is a sad day, especially when he has not been ill. But as we say, God knows best,” he said on the floor of the House on July 7.
For his part, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga noted that the loss of the Akwatia MP, is one that affects the entire Parliament.
The House has since adjourned proceedings to July 8 in the forenoon.
The late Ernest Kumi was confirmed dead in the morning of July 7.
The news was verified by Dr. Mahama Tiah Kabiru, MP for Walewale to 3news parliamentary correspondent on Monday, July 7, 2025.
He had earlier secured the NPP nomination in 2023 after unseating incumbent Ama Sey in the party primaries.
His death comes just months after a protracted legal battle over his eligibility to serve as MP. In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court convicted him for contempt after he defied an injunction that barred him from being sworn into Parliament. A bench warrant was issued after he failed to appear for sentencing.
However, in June 2025, the Supreme Court overturned his conviction in a 4–1 majority decision, ruling that the initial judgment was affected by judicial bias. The decision cleared the way for him to fully resume parliamentary duties.
Before his political career, Ernest Kumi built a strong academic and professional foundation. He held an MSc in Defence and International Politics from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (2022), an MBA in Corporate Governance from the University of Professional Studies (2014), an LLB from Mountcrest University College (2019), and a BSc in Ports and Shipping Administration from Regional Maritime University (2009).
In Parliament, he served on both the Lands and Natural Resources Committee and the House Committee.
