The Parliament of Ghana has adjourned its sitting from Monday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 8, 2025, following the passing of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi.
The adjournment came after a plea by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who requested that the First Deputy Speaker, Mr Bernard Ahiafor, suspend proceedings in honour of the late legislator.
Officially announcing the MP’s death on the floor of the House, Afenyo-Markin stated, “Mr. Speaker, this is very sad. I break this unfortunate news with great regret and hesitation, but it is my duty to do so.”
He noted that the Minority Caucus is in contact with the family of the late MP and extended condolences on behalf of the caucus to both his family and constituents.
The House observed a minute’s silence in memory of the late Akwatia MP.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, also joined in expressing condolences, supporting the call for adjournment and extending sympathies from the Majority side.
“We extend our condolences to them. Our prayers are with them, and as a House, we share in this profound grief. This is not just a loss for the Minority, as he was first a member of this House before joining the Minority,” Mr Ayariga said.
“So, Mr Speaker, I join my colleagues in requesting an adjournment so that we can all take time to reflect and support one another.”
Kumi, 40, was a rising figure in the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He won the Akwatia parliamentary seat in the 2024 general elections with 19,269 votes, defeating the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Henry Yiadom Boakye, who garnered 17,206 votes.
In 2023, he had secured the NPP nomination after unseating the incumbent, Ama Sey, in the party primaries.
His death comes just months after a lengthy legal battle concerning his eligibility to serve as MP.
In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court convicted him of contempt for defying an injunction that barred his swearing-in. A bench warrant was subsequently issued after he failed to appear for sentencing.
However, in June 2025, the Supreme Court overturned the conviction in a 4–1 majority decision, ruling that the initial judgment was marred by judicial bias.
This decision cleared the way for Kumi to fully resume his parliamentary duties.
