Ghana Parliament was thrown into deep mourning following the sudden demise of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, whose passing has sent shockwaves through the legislative house and the wider Ghanaian political landscape.
The somber mood in the chamber was palpable as leaders from both sides of the House paid heartfelt tributes to their departed colleague, whose life was cut short after a brief illness.
The news of Mr. Kumi’s death was officially announced in Parliament on Monday, July 7, 2025, drawing an emotional response from members across the political divide.
The Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, visibly moved, rose to deliver what he described as one of his most painful duties in his parliamentary life.
“Mister Speaker, it’s a very sad day, Sad day to his family, constituency, to democracy, to parliament, and to the people of Ghana. To break this unfortunate news, I do so with a lot of regrets and a lot of hesitation, however, it’s my duty to be the bearer of it, and I’ve done so.”
Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin
Mr. Kumi, elected on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7 2024, general elections, had quickly earned the admiration of many in the House for his intellectual strength and political promise.
Despite his short stint in Parliament, he was regarded as one of the bright young minds with a future that held considerable leadership potential.
Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga, joining in the tributes, noted that the death of Ernest Kumi marks “arguably, one of the saddest days of this House.”
Recalling the moment he first received the news, Hon. Ayariga confessed that his initial reaction was disbelief.
“I saw on the platform some notification to the effect that we had lost our younger brother, Honorable Ernest Kumi, but I didn’t believe it. I just thought, you know, in this our politics, sometimes people put out all sorts of things”.
Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga
However, after confirming the news from credible sources, the Majority Leader was deeply shaken. “He is very young, just a little over 40. Very bright,” he said, echoing the Minority Leader’s sentiments.
He emphasized that within a remarkably short period, Mr. Kumi had attained multiple degrees in diverse fields, a testament to his deep commitment to learning and self-improvement. “This is a very studious young man,” Hon. Ayariga added.
According to him, Mr. Kumi’s political trajectory was nothing short of impressive. “At that age, he believed in democracy. He participated and effectively as a result took a constituency as weighty as Akwatia from within his party and in the general elections,” he recounted.
For Hon. Ayariga, the young MP was not just an achiever, but a beacon of hope and energy for the House and the country at large.
“In the prime of his life… he had everything that a young man of his age would need. And to be taken away from us at this stage in his life is not only a loss to his family, it’s not only a loss to Akwatia as a constituency—it’s a loss to Ghana. We may never know what we have missed by losing him so early in his political career.”
Majority Leader Hon. Mahama Ayariga
In the wake of the tragic news, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, adjourned sitting to Tuesday, July 8, 2025. In a brief but deeply empathetic statement, he extended the condolences of the House to the bereaved family, the people of Akwatia, and the New Patriotic Party.
“The House is accordingly adjourned until Tuesday, 8th July 2025, at 2:00 in the afternoon,” he declared, his voice tinged with grief.
Mr. Kumi’s sudden death has sparked a national outpouring of sorrow, with many reflecting on the loss of a young legislator whose contributions to the democratic process had only just begun to take shape.
For his constituents in Akwatia and for his colleagues in Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi’s legacy will be reminder of both promise and fragility in public service.
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