The Akwatia constituency in Ghana’s Eastern Region has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of its Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Mr. Kumi, a first-term legislator elected in the 2024 general elections, was widely known in his community as the “Akwatia Star Boy”—a nickname earned through his vibrant political presence and development-focused agenda.
The Eastern Regional Executive Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), under whose ticket Mr. Kumi was elected, issued an official statement confirming the news and expressing deep sorrow. The statement described the late MP’s passing as “a great shock” to the party, the people of Akwatia, and the entire nation.
“Mr. Kumi represented a new generation of leadership—energetic, driven, and committed to the people,” the party said. “His death is not just a loss to the NPP, but a tragedy for Ghana’s democratic and developmental journey.”
Though still in his first term, Ernest Kumi was lauded for initiating key infrastructure projects and empowering local youth through job creation schemes and educational support. Constituents remember him as a “man of action” who made himself accessible and responsive to their needs.
Local chiefs, opinion leaders, and residents of Akwatia have also begun paying tribute, with many describing his demise as an “irreparable loss.” Community members gathered at his residence Monday night in solemn remembrance.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days, while political observers are already raising concerns over the implications of his death for parliamentary representation and the NPP’s hold on the Akwatia seat.
As the party and community await further details, the Eastern Region mourns a young politician whose promising career was cut tragically short.
