The Member of Parliament for Akwatia constituency, Ernest Yaw Kumi, has passed away after a short illness that kept him away from parliamentary duties for sometime.

Though details surrounding his death remain scanty, according to information, he reportedly returned to the constituency from Tarkwa in the western region last night.

Mr. Ernest Kumi, who entered Parliament on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), had recently been embroiled in a high-profile legal dispute concerning the legitimacy of his election in the 2024 parliamentary polls.

His sudden death comes just weeks after the Supreme Court overturned a contempt conviction against him in connection with the disputed election results.

In February 2025, the Koforidua High Court found him guilty of contempt for defying an interim injunction that barred him from participating in the swearing-in of MPs. A bench warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest after he failed to appear before the court.

Despite these legal challenges, Mr. Kumi remained active in parliamentary affairs until his recent illness. His passing is considered a significant loss to both Parliament and the NPP.