Former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Denkyembour in the Eastern Region, Seth Birikorang, has dismissed reports suggesting that the wife of the late Akwatia MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, intends to contest in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) primaries.
This follows the circulation of viral posters featuring the widow, Mavis Kumi, announcing her purported intent to contest in a potential by-election.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Birikorang, a close friend of the family, refuted the reports as false.
He clarified that the widow’s actual name is Mavis Asiamah, not Mavis Kumi as stated on the poster, and described the poster as fake.
According to him, Mavis has no interest in politics, has not expressed any intention to succeed her husband, and has not authorised anyone to promote her as a candidate.
“It was around 2:00 p.m. on Monday when someone drew my attention to the flier, and the family is really disturbed about the development.
“I want to state categorically that she has no plans to succeed her husband. Under no circumstances will she consider that, so I will urge all those driving that campaign to stop. The family is troubled and yet to come to terms with his sudden death, so it is a difficult moment, and we don’t need this,” he stated.
Mr. Birikorang added that the matter had previously been raised with the family, but those involved were strongly advised to abandon the idea.
“The family was very upset and warned them to boycott the decision. So they have come to a decision that she will not contest. I’m aware there are discussions ongoing regarding Ernest’s successor, but Mavis is not part of it,” he noted.
He explained that Mavis now plans to devote her time to managing the businesses she built with her husband and focusing on raising their children.
The late MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, after a brief illness.
Source: Gertrude Otchere
