The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Chairman for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, Yaw Addo, has recounted his final interactions with the late Member of Parliament (MP), Ernest Yaw Kumi, describing his passing as a painful blow to the party and the entire constituency.
According to Mr. Addo, the MP was actively engaged in plans for a thank-you tour across the constituency following the recent conclusion of a Supreme Court case that challenged his election.
“We were preparing to officially thank the people, the chiefs, and elders of Akwatia. Because of the court issue, we had delayed the thank-you tour. Now that the Supreme Court had ruled in his favour, we had finally begun planning.”
He said over the past weekend, which coincided with the traditional Akwasidae festival, there were a number of programmes lined up and he had spoken to the MP to confirm his participation.
“I called him to find out if he could make it to Akwatia because he had travelled to Takoradi,” Mr. Addo said. “He told me he was tied up and wouldn’t be able to attend.”
Later on Sunday evening, Mr. Addo received a message from Mr. Kumi confirming that he had arrived home safely.
“That was our last conversation. I never imagined it would be the last time I would hear from him,” he said, holding back tears.
The news of Mr. Kumi’s sudden passing on Monday, July 7, came as a complete shock.
Mr. Addo, in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, said he received several calls while at the constituency office but initially ignored them, thinking it was routine.
However, when the calls persisted, he decided to follow up.
“I tried calling his phone, but there was no answer. I called his wife too, but she didn’t pick up either. Eventually, I reached out to our former DCE who broke the news. He said Ernest had complained of chest pains early Monday morning, and not long after, he was gone.”
Upon hearing the tragic news, party executives rushed to the Lashibi Funeral Home, where they confirmed the MP’s death.
“We saw his lifeless body on the floor. It was heartbreaking,” he said.
Mr. Addo described Ernest Kumi as a humble, determined, and peace-loving individual.
“He wasn’t just my MP; he was like a younger brother. We’re from the same town. He was cool, respectful, and very committed to his work. People saw him as soft, but he was tough and focused.”
According to him, the party in Akwatia was built around Ernest Kumi’s leadership and vision.
“He wasn’t wealthy, but he supported many people in the constituency. He had suffered before becoming an MP, and it’s painful that just few months into his first term, death has snatched him away.”
“He was a go-getter. Not violent, not envious, always ready to help. We are shattered. Death has been unfair to us. But we can’t question God. As leaders, we have to encourage ourselves and keep moving.”
Mr. Kumi passed away at the age of 40 after a brief illness. He is survived by a wife and three children.
Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy
ALSO READ:
- Minority pays glowing tribute to late Akwatia MP
- Bawumia mourns Ernest Yaw Kumi
- Ernest Yaw Kumi’s death: MP weeps uncontrollably on live TV [Video]
- Ernest Yaw Kumi’s family breaks silence on his death [Listen]
