Tragedy: Hon. Ernest Kumi, MP for Akwatia, Confirmed Dead

Hon. Ernest Kumi, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia in the Eastern Region of Ghana, has been reported dead. He is said to have passed away today, Monday, July 7, 2025.

Details surrounding the cause of his death remain unclear at this time. Official confirmation from his family or the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership is yet to be made public, but local sources indicate that the sad news has already plunged Akwatia and the wider Eastern Region into mourning.

Hon. Ernest Kumi was elected on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and had represented the people of Akwatia in the 8th and 9th Parliament of the Fourth Republic. He was known among his constituents as a determined advocate for local development, especially in improving roads, healthcare access, and youth employment initiatives.

Hon. Ernest Kumi was widely regarded as a passionate and accessible politician. Before entering Parliament, he was a teacher and community development worker, which helped him build close ties with grassroots organizations and youth groups in the Eastern Region.

A native of Akwatia, Hon. Kumi held a bachelor’s degree in Education and was known for his straightforward, often frank, style of communication. Constituents described him as humble, approachable, and unafraid to visit even the remotest villages to listen to residents’ concerns.

In Parliament, he served on committees focusing on Local Government and Rural Development, where he was vocal about equitable distribution of resources to mining communities like Akwatia. He often highlighted issues related to environmental degradation from small-scale mining (galamsey) and was an advocate for policies to formalize and regulate the sector to benefit local people.

Hon. Ernest Kumi was also active within the NPP at the constituency level, mentoring young party activists and encouraging unity among his constituency executives. It is alleged that even his political opponents acknowledged his dedication to Akwatia’s development agenda.

Outside politics, he was known to enjoy football and community volunteering. He was regular at every festival and durbar, often seen mingling freely with residents.

His untimely death comes as a shock to his family, friends, constituents, and colleagues in Parliament, many of whom have already begun paying tribute to his service and character.

Further details about funeral arrangements and the cause of death are expected to be communicated by his family and the party in the coming days.

We wish the bereaved family comfort and strength during this difficult time.