Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has led tributes in Parliament following the sudden death of Akwatia MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025. The first-time lawmaker died after a brief illness, shocking both his colleagues and constituents. Medical authorities and family members have not yet disclosed the exact cause of death.
Addressing the House, Afenyo-Markin described the late MP as a humble, principled, and well-loved figure in Parliament. “God knows best,” he said solemnly, extending heartfelt condolences to the family and the people of Akwatia. He noted that Mr Kumi was not perceived as someone battling any health condition, making his passing even more devastating.
A Man Without Controversy, A Life of Service
In an emotional tribute on the floor, the Minority Leader praised Ernest Kumi’s short but impactful service in Parliament. He said, “We know that this is sudden; it was unexpected. The Member was not seen as someone who was unwell, and therefore, you are pained.”
He continued, “Mr Speaker, his record in this House, both at the plenary and committee levels, is quite profound and known to all. Above all, this brother had all the qualities anyone would wish for in a sibling. He lived the prayer of this House: ‘a country of righteousness where none shall wrong his neighbour.’ No one can ever say that, in his few months in this chamber, he was controversial or wronged any colleague.”
The House suspended its sitting until the morning of Tuesday, July 8, in honour of the deceased MP.
Mr Kumi won the Akwatia parliamentary seat on the ticket of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) during the fiercely contested 2024 general election. He secured 19,269 votes, defeating the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Henry Yiadom Boakye, who garnered 17,206 votes. His victory, however, became the subject of a protracted legal dispute.
In Parliament, he served on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee as well as the House Committee, where he was recognised for his diligence and quiet leadership. His passing leaves a void not only in Akwatia but in Ghana’s legislative house as well.
Read Also: Breaking: Akwatia MP Ernest Kumi Dies Suddenly, Months Into 1st Term