Akwatia MP Ernest Kumi Confirmed Dead

The Member of Parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Ernest Kumi, has been confirmed dead.

His passing was officially verified on Monday, July 7, 2025, by Dr. Mahama Tiah Kabiru, MP for Walewale, in a statement to 3News’ parliamentary correspondent. He was 40 years old.

Ernest Kumi emerged as a prominent figure in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after winning the Akwatia parliamentary seat in the 2024 general elections. He secured 19,269 votes to defeat the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Henry Yiadom Boakye, who garnered 17,206 votes. Kumi had previously made headlines in 2023 when he unseated former MP Ama Sey in the NPP primaries.

His short time in Parliament was marked by both political promise and legal controversy. Following the 2024 elections, a legal dispute over his eligibility led to a court injunction barring his swearing-in. In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court convicted him of contempt for violating the injunction and issued a bench warrant after he failed to appear for sentencing.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court overturned the conviction in June 2025 in a 4–1 decision, citing judicial bias in the lower court’s ruling. The verdict allowed Kumi to resume full parliamentary duties.

Beyond politics, Ernest Kumi had a distinguished academic background. He earned a Master of Science in Defence and International Politics from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College in 2022, an MBA in Corporate Governance from the University of Professional Studies in 2014, an LLB from Mountcrest University College in 2019, and a BSc in Ports and Shipping Administration from the Regional Maritime University in 2009.

During his time in Parliament, he served on the Lands and Natural Resources Committee as well as the House Committee.

Details surrounding the cause of his death remain undisclosed at this time.