Akwatia NPP MP Ernest Kumi dies months after fierce election victory

Ernest Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akwatia, has reportedly passed away, just seven months into his first term in office.

His death occurred on Monday, July 7, 2025, according to sources close to his family and party, though the exact cause has not yet been disclosed.

At the time of this report, neither the leadership of the NPP nor the Parliament of Ghana had issued an official statement confirming the news or providing details on funeral arrangements.

Mr. Kumi’s passing comes as a shock, particularly given the political intensity that surrounded his entry into Parliament. He was elected in December 2024 after what was widely considered one of the most heated and closely fought races in the country.

Akwatia, situated in the Eastern Region, has long been viewed as a swing constituency and a crucial battleground for both the NPP and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The 2024 contest was fiercely contested, with accusations of vote buying, procedural irregularities, and palpable tension on the ground throughout the campaign period.

Despite the challenges, Ernest Kumi clinched victory for the NPP, delivering a much-needed win for the party in a region where every seat counted. His triumph was seen as a key strategic gain in the broader national contest.

His untimely death now throws the constituency into uncertainty, raising questions about a possible by-election and what it could mean for the balance of power in Parliament. For now, however, the focus remains on mourning a young MP whose political journey had only just begun.