The Director of Legal Affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako, has disclosed that the late Ernest Kumi, former Member of Parliament for Akwatia, had intended to resign from Parliament just six days before his sudden death. In January 2025, the Koforidua High Court issued an interim injunction barring Ernest Kumi from being sworn in as the MP for Akwatia. Despite the order, Kumi proceeded with the swearing-in, prompting the court to find him in contempt and issue a warrant for his arrest.
That ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2025, clearing the legal cloud over his legitimacy as a legislator. Tragically, barely a month later, Kumi died suddenly in July 2025.
Speaking on Joy News on Tuesday, September 2, Mr. Nimako said Kumi had grown weary of persistent harassment in his constituency and confided his intention to step down from politics. “Ernest Kumi said that he wants to resign from Parliament. Are you aware? He said he was tired because of the harassment they were doing to him at the constituency. He was tired, he wanted to resign from parliament and go and stay at home,” Mr. Nimako revealed.
Underscoring the truthfulness of his account, he added, “Do you know I am an ex-seminarian. I went to Catholic school to become a Catholic priest. Ask my people who were with me, they will tell you. I will tell the truth to you and the truth will set me free.” Highlighting the emotional toll Kumi endured before his passing, Mr. Nimako stressed:
“The gentleman was harassed and over harassed. Six days he died… He said he was tired.” Kumi’s death eventually triggered the Akwatia by-election, which was won by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Bernard Bediako.
Source: Abigail Arthur
