PROFILE OF ERNEST YAW KUMI
Ernest Yaw Kumi was a Ghanaian politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Akwatia in the Eastern Region.
He was a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and won the closely contested December 2024 parliamentary election.
Born on Wednesday, December 5, 1984, and hailing from Akim Wenchi, he was a Christian.
According to Mr. Seth Ofosu, a former Akwatia District Chief Executive, the late Kumi “was rushed to Lister Hospital at 2am complaining of chest pains. At 1000 hours on Monday, doctors said he was not responding to treatment and had passed away.
“His body has since been deposited at the Lashibi Funeral Home. He finished his law exams just last week,” Mr. Ofosu said.
The first-time MP died at age 40.
His death was confirmed by Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, on the Floor of the House, in Accra, in an official communication during Tuesday’s proceedings.
The Minority Leader said: “Mr. Speaker, one of us has been summoned to the Parliament above.
“ This member was a young politician from the Eastern Region, in his first term in this chamber, carrying with him a promise to contribute to the discourse of our democratic enterprise.”
According to Osahen Afenyo-Markin, the late MP was reportedly in good health over the weekend, actively participating in parliamentary committee work, making his sudden demise shocking to his colleagues.
The House observed a minute of silence to honor the deceased legislator.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Ports and Shipping Administration from Regional Maritime University (2009); Master of Business Administration in Corporate Governance from University of Professional Studies (2014); Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Mountcrest University College (2019); and Master of Science in Defence and International Politics from Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (2022).
Career:
The late MP was a former Senior Manager securities, Manager and Administration and FRS at American Tower Corporation.
He was also a member of Parliament’s Lands and Natural Resources Committee.
During his seven months of MP duties, the late MP made statements on “The Devastating Bush Fires in the Kpandai District of Northern Ghana,” “Addressing Sanitation Challenges, Homelessness, and Slum Proliferation in Ghana: A Comprehensive Approach to Sustainable Outcome,” and World Social Justice Day.
He also contributed to legislative discussions despite facing legal challenges over his election.
Controversy:
The late Kumi had been in the news recently due to a court case where the Supreme Court quashed a contempt conviction handed down by the Koforidua High Court against him.
He had been convicted of contempt of court after presenting himself to be sworn in as MP despite an interim injunction.
It is worth noting that the late MP’s legal issues stemmed from a dispute over his election, with a High Court issuing a bench warrant for his arrest after convicting him of contempt.
He was accused of disobeying an interim injunction prohibiting him from being sworn in as MP-elect for Akwatia due to an ongoing legal contest over his election.
Legacy:
He has been described as an astute politician and peacemaker by the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Mr. Jeff Konadu Addo.
The Minority Leader also eulogized the late MP as a diligent and vibrant personality who was also known for his intellect.
“He was always there, happy and vibrant. No one can ever say that in his few months in this chamber he was controversial or wronged colleagues. He lived the prayer of this house—a country of righteousness where none shall wrong his neighbour,” he said.
He noted that the late MP was a rising star within the NPP, and was a highly accomplished individual, holding three postgraduate degrees: an MBA in Corporate Governance, an LLB, and an MSc in Defense and International Politics.
The Minority Leader extended heartfelt condolences to the late MP’s bereaved family and his constituents.
On his part, Majority Leader, Mr. Mahama Ayariga described the late Kumi as “a young politician from the Eastern Region, in his first term in this chamber, carrying with him a promise to contribute to the discourse of the democratic enterprise.”
“Mr Speaker, he was full of promise—promise for the store of knowledge, promise for the store of energy this House needs to sustain itself. To be taken away in the prime of his life is not only a loss to Akwatia but to Ghana as a whole,” Mr. Ayariga said.
He left behind a wife and children.
