The Akwatia Constituency will be without parliamentary representation in the early days of the 9th Parliament following a legal dispute over the swearing-in of Ernest Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate.

The Koforidua High Court has upheld an injunction that prevents Kumi from being recognized as the Member of Parliament-elect for the constituency, halting his swearing-in.

The court granted the injunction on Thursday, January 2, 2025, after a request was filed by Henry Boakye Yiadom, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate. The injunction also extends to the Clerk of Parliament, prohibiting them from officially swearing in Kumi as the Akwatia MP.

The Akwatia seat was among those contested in the recent elections, with the Electoral Commission announcing the results at the National Police Training School in Tesano, Accra. However, the legal challenge has created uncertainty regarding Kumi's status.

In defense of Kumi, NPP counsel Gary Nimako Marfo argued that the injunction was improperly filed and based on an inappropriate petition. He emphasized that election results can only be contested within 21 days after they are officially published and gazetted, requesting the court to dismiss both the injunction and the petition.

Meanwhile, Mintah Larbi, the NDC's Director of Legal Affairs in the Eastern Region, expressed confidence that the court would deliver justice, calling the situation an injustice in the December 7 elections. “We are positive about the outcome based on our submissions today,” he stated.

Following the proceedings, Nimako Marfo declined to make further comments but requested the court to set aside the injunction order and all related actions.