Late Akwatia MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi
Nana Asafo‑Adjei Ayeh, Member of Parliament for Bosome-Freho, has paid tribute to his late colleague, the former MP for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi, describing the relentless legal and political harassment he suffered during his brief tenure in parliament.
Speaking with visible pain and frustration during a panel discussion on Metro TV on Thursday, June 7, 2025, Asafo-Adjei highlighted the contrast between the stability enjoyed by other MPs and the ordeal Ernest endured despite winning his seat with a margin of over 2,000 votes.
“There are people in parliament who are sitting there with less than 20 votes difference and they have peace, sound of mind and they are going about the business. My brother won with over 2,000 votes difference, yet that young man could not have peace, could not have serenity to live as an MP,” he lamented.
Ernest Kumi, who was sworn into office on January 7, 2025, tragically died exactly six months later, on July 7. According to Asafo-Adjei, his short-lived time in Parliament was marred by a barrage of legal threats and court summons, mainly from political opponents.
He recounted disturbing incidents, including moments when the young MP had to be smuggled in a car boot to Parliament to evade arrest, and times he was forced to sleep in the parliamentary chambers to avoid being served court documents.
“He could not even make a statement in parliament – sharp young guy – because they wouldn’t allow him to. They called him a fugitive… What was his crime? Just to serve the good people of Akwatia,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.
Asafo-Adjei disclosed that Kumi spent almost all of his parliamentary salary on legal fees, constantly moving from courtrooms to law offices rather than fulfilling his duties as a lawmaker.
“Virtually all the salary that Ernest got was used to pay lawyers… What was his crime? Just to serve and make laws for the country,” he stressed.
The Bosome-Freho MP said the harassment had a lasting toll on Ernest’s mental and physical health, adding that he “never enjoyed a bit of what it means to be an MP”
He concluded his tribute with a solemn wish:
“My brother should rest in peace. He has really suffered.”
Akwatia MP never enjoyed MP status because of the NDC. What was his crime? – Asafo-Adjei laments#GoodMorningGhana #MetroTV pic.twitter.com/ftFijY9pBY
— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) July 10, 2025
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