The Minority Caucus of Parliament has been left reeling following the sudden death of their colleague, Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia.
Announcing the heartbreaking news on the floor of Parliament on Monday, July 7, 2025, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin described Kumi’s passing as a heavy blow to the NPP Caucus and the entire House.
“This morning, we’re informed that one of us has been summoned to the parliament above,” Afenyo-Markin told the chamber in a solemn address. “It’s quite regrettable for me to be the carrier of this message to these of yourselves.”
The visibly emotional Minority Leader recalled that Mr. Kumi was active in parliamentary work over the weekend, diligently participating in committee meetings and House proceedings.
“Speaker, the member was seen over the weekend, was able to undertake his committee work. And proud to that, we all saw him at the plenary. Mr. speaker he was a young politician from the eastern region, his first term in this chamber, who carries with him a lot of promise to contribute to the discourse of this democratic enterprise. Mr. Speaker, it took his resilience to come to this August assembly of the people’s representatives. He was determined to serve his people for the term he was elected to serve.
“The speaker, the caucus of the NPP minority has been struck by this sudden summons to our brother to the parliament above, referring to our brother, Ernest Kumi of Akwatia..”
Ernest Kumi, popularly known as the Akwatia Star Boy, reportedly passed away earlier today after suffering a suspected heart attack.
While family sources have pointed to a heart-related incident, official confirmation on the exact cause of death is still pending.
His passing comes at a time when he was embroiled in legal challenges regarding his election.
Mr. Kumi, who secured the Akwatia seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the fiercely contested December 2024 elections, was serving his first term in Parliament.
His victory in Akwatia, a key political battleground, marked a significant gain for the NPP in the Eastern Region.
Parliament has since suspended proceedings in light of the tragic development, as colleagues and the nation mourn the untimely loss of the young legislator.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
