The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has passed away.

Sources close to the family and party disclosed that Mr. Kumi died on Monday, July 7, 2025, though the cause of death has not yet been officially disclosed. As of now, Parliament and the NPP leadership are yet to issue formal statements or announce funeral arrangements.

Mr. Kumi was serving his first term in Parliament, having won the Akwatia seat in the December 2024 general elections, one of the most fiercely contested and politically sensitive races of that cycle.

Located in the Eastern Region, Akwatia constituency became a flashpoint in 2024 with Mr. Kumi’s victory marred by allegations of vote buying, irregularities, and legal disputes.

Following the announcement of results, the NDC challenged Kumi’s election in court. The Koforidua High Court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Senyo Amedahe, subsequently issued an interim injunction preventing Kumi from holding himself out as MP and participating in parliamentary activities.

However, the case escalated after Kumi allegedly defied the injunction, leading to contempt of court charges and the issuance of a bench warrant for his arrest.

In a major legal victory, the Supreme Court on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, quashed the contempt conviction and barred Justice Amedahe from proceeding with any sentencing.

The decision followed a judicial review application filed by Kumi in February 2025, led by his lawyer Gary Nimako-Marfo, who also serves as the NPP’s Director of Legal Affairs. The legal team argued that the High Court had no jurisdiction to hear the election petition since the Electoral Commission (EC) had not yet published a gazette notification of the parliamentary results—an essential procedural requirement to invoke the High Court’s jurisdiction in election disputes.

Speaking to the media following the Supreme Court ruling, NPP communicator Kwame Owiredu stated:

“As we speak now, Hon. Ernest Kumi remains the elected and valid MP for Akwatia. Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi is as free as a bird. He’s a free man, and he will continue his good works as an MP for the good people of Akwatia.”

Mr. Kumi’s legal challenge included both certiorari and prohibition applications, seeking to overturn the High Court’s ruling and prevent any further action by Justice Amedahe.

The legal team presented three central arguments:

Mr. Kumi’s legal team requested the following reliefs from the Supreme Court:

The Supreme Court granted the application, effectively clearing Ernest Kumi of all legal encumbrances related to the case and affirming his legitimacy as MP—just weeks before news of his unexpected passing.