A brother of the late Akwatia MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, visibly shaken and overwhelmed with grief, has spoken for the first time following the tragic and untimely death of the young legislator.

Ernest Kumi, who served as a first-time Member of Parliament, died after a brief illness, leaving his family, party, constituents, and fellow lawmakers in deep sorrow.

Kumi, widely regarded as a rising star within the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), had made a strong impression in Parliament with his passion for governance and development.

His entry into Parliament followed a fiercely contested race in December 2024, where he reclaimed the Akwatia seat for the NPP in what was seen as one of the most competitive electoral battles of the season.

The constituency had long been a political flashpoint between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), making his victory particularly significant.

Colleagues on both sides of the political divide have paid glowing tributes to the late MP, describing him as a humble, principled, and committed representative who had earned respect for his dedication to public service.

His death comes at a time when many believed he was on the path to becoming one of the chamber's most influential young voices.

Earlier this year, in February 2025, Kumi was thrust into national headlines after the Koforidua High Court found him in contempt for disregarding an interim injunction related to the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court, which cleared his name and allowed him to continue serving without blemish. That legal victory, seen as a vindication of his integrity, made the news of his sudden death all the more heartbreaking.

Parliament has since been enveloped in mourning, and official funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon.

The death of Ernest Kumi is being mourned not just by the people of Akwatia and the NPP, but by the entire nation, as Ghana loses a promising leader whose voice was just beginning to make a lasting impact in the country’s democratic space.

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