The Electoral Commission (EC) is expected to hold a by-election in the Akwatia Constituency, Eastern Region, to select a Member of Parliament (MP) for the area on Tuesday, September 2.

The election has become necessary following the death of the constituency’s representative, Ernest Yaw Kumi. The Akwatia Member of Parliament was reported dead on Monday, July 7. On Monday, 4 August, balloting will be held by the Electoral Commission to ensure fairness in how candidates are listed on the ballot paper.

The two major political parties are gearing themselves up for a by-election. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) will see three individuals contest in the party’s election for the role of Akwatia Constituency parliamentary candidate on Monday, August 4.

Former Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Henry Boakye, the National Democratic Congress’ Akwatia Constituency Secretary, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, and Erasmus Koney Ali have vied for the position. The submission of nominations will end on Wednesday, July 30. Subsequently, the party will hold its vetting process on Thursday, July 31. To obtain their positions, the parliamentary aspirants will participate in the balloting process on Monday, August 4.

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), according to reports, has decided to allow Chief Executive Officer of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, to be its parliamentary candidate. It is reported that the selection of Solomon Kwame Asumadu followed extensive stakeholder consultations that birthed a consensus and prevented the party from having to hold an internal parliamentary election.

Earlier, there were reports suggesting the widow of the late Member of Parliament, Mrs. Mavis Kumi, had shown interest in the race. However, the Eastern Regional NPP Chairman Jeff Konadu Addo on Tuesday, July 15, emphasized that campaign flyers purporting such claims are false and must be ignored.

“We wish to categorically state that this information is false, misleading, and should be treated with the utmost contempt it deserves,” Jeff Konadu Addo said.

Jeff Konadu Addo added that Mrs. Mavis Kumi is not interested in the said position but is focused on mourning the passing of her husband.

“She has unequivocally communicated that she has no interest in contesting the seat or participating in active politics at this time. Her current focus is to mourn her husband with dignity and in peace,” he further stated.

On Tuesday, July 8, a delegation from the leadership of Parliament visited the family of the late MP to express their condolences. The team was led by the Leader of the House, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga.

Other members of the delegation included Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Clerk to Parliament Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, and Ofoase-Ayirebi MP Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, among others.

Chief of Takrowaso, Osabarima Owusu Nketia I, on Friday afternoon, July 25, led the family of the late Hon. Ernest Kumi, former Member of Parliament for Akwatia Constituency, to pay a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

The visit was to enable the family to officially inform the Speaker and Parliament of Mr Kumi’s demise. On behalf of Parliament, Speaker Bagbin extended his deepest condolences to the family of the late legislator.

Speaker Alban Bagbin described the passing of Mr. Ernest Kumi as a profound loss to Parliament and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He lauded Mr. Kumi’s commitment to Ghana’s democratic development, noting that his tireless advocacy for his constituents and his steadfast dedication to national progress will be forever remembered and cherished.

The Speaker also stated that Parliament will work closely with the bereaved family to ensure Mr. Kumi is accorded a befitting burial.

Prior to his demise, Mr Ernest Kumi was engaged in a legal tussle. Henry Boakye-Yiadom, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate and former Member of Parliament for the constituency, who contested the election results, filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission (EC), Kumi, and the Clerk to Parliament, disputing the outcome of the polls. Official results had declared Kumi victorious with 19,269 votes, while Boakye-Yiadom secured 17,206 votes.

On January 3, the Koforidua High Court issued an interim injunction restraining Ernest Yaw Kumi from being sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Akwatia. Despite the court’s order, Kumi went ahead with his swearing-in on January 7, 2025.

His legal team, led by Lawyer Gary Nimako, later sought to overturn the injunction, but the court dismissed their application.

On February 19, the Koforidua High Court issued a bench warrant for Kumi’s arrest, citing his absence from contempt proceedings and his failure to comply with the earlier injunction.

Reacting to the development, the Minority in Parliament has condemned the court’s decision, arguing that it was excessive. Speaking to the media, Second Deputy Minority Whip Jerry Ahmed Shaib expressed strong disagreement with the ruling.

Last month, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling by the Koforidua High Court that convicted Mr Kumi of contempt of court. The court, on Wednesday, June 11, by a 4–1 majority, granted the legislator's application to overturn the High Court's ruling.

In Parliament, Mr Ernest Kumi, who was a first-time member in the 9th Parliament, served on both the Lands and Natural Resources Committee and the House Committee.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has urged security personnel who will be deployed to oversee the upcoming by-election in Akwatia constituency, Eastern Region, to remain alert while executing their duties.

He urged them to reflect on the recent violence that occurred during the parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency and work proactively to prevent a recurrence.

According to him, the government will work to ensure that such dramatic events do not repeat themselves in future elections. The minister made these remarks at the government accountability series in Accra on Monday, July 14.

“This is also a wake-up call for our security agencies to know that probably what happened [in Ablekuma North]…gives our security agencies the opportunity to even plan better towards Akwatia.

“All I can assure the people of Akwatia is that we will use Ablekuma North as a case study to review how we operate in Akwatia—to make sure that the citizens are free to cast their votes and express their will without fear or favour,” Muntaka added.