The Director of Legal Affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako, has revealed that the late Ernest Kumi, former Member of Parliament for Akwatia, was preparing to resign from Parliament just days before his untimely death.
Mr. Nimako explained that Kumi had become increasingly frustrated by what he described as persistent harassment in his constituency. Speaking on JoyNews on Tuesday, September 2, he disclosed:
“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.”
Kumi’s parliamentary journey had been marked by legal hurdles. In January 2025, the Koforidua High Court placed an injunction on his swearing-in as MP for Akwatia. Despite the order, he proceeded with the ceremony, leading to a contempt ruling and a warrant for his arrest. However, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling in June 2025, clearing him of legal uncertainty. Barely a month later, he died suddenly in July 2025.
Reinforcing the sincerity of his revelation, Nimako said:
“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, and they will tell you. I will tell the truth to you, and the truth will set me free.”
He further emphasized the toll the pressure had taken on the late legislator:
“The gentleman was harassed and over-harassed. Six days before he died… He said he was tired.”
Kumi’s death paved the way for the Akwatia by-election, which was subsequently won by Bernard Bediako of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
