By Daniel Bampoe
In a deeply emotional tribute, Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has eulogized his late colleague, Ernest Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Akwatia, following his sudden death on Monday, July 7, 2025.
The passing of the young and vibrant parliamentarian has sent shockwaves through the political establishment, leaving behind grief, unanswered questions, and memories that now feel like echoes of a promising career cut short.
Sammi Awuku, a close friend and parliamentary bench mate of the late MP, recounted the last moments leading up to Ernest Kumi’s death in a heartfelt message shared with the public.
According to him, just moments before the tragedy struck, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had asked him to follow up with Kumi on an earlier conversation regarding the MP’s ongoing legal battles and other political matters.
“I called, and you said, ‘I’m on my way to him so bro tell him,’ which I did… You sounded full of life. You even teased me like always… ‘Commander!’ Never knew this was a final goodbye call, bro,” Awuku emotionally recalled.
Ernest Kumi, who occupied the seat directly behind Awuku in Parliament, was not just a colleague but a personal friend.
Their interactions, the shared jokes, subtle conversations during proceedings, and moments of camaraderie now live on only in memory.
Sammi Awuku painfully admitted that the sight of the now-empty seat behind him in the chamber is a haunting reminder of the suddenness of death.
“You were a brother, friend, a fighter, and a force. To think that your journey ends here feels cruel and unreal,” Sammi Awuku wrote.
He described Kumi as full of life, a man of laughter and resilience who still found time to make light-hearted jokes even amid serious legal and political challenges.
Sammi Awuku’s tribute also touched on the philosophical weight of life’s fragility, reminding readers that “life is a breath—a moment here, and the next, gone.”
His words underscore the unpredictability of death and the emotional vacuum it often leaves in its wake.
Ernest Kumi, affectionately referred to as the “Akwatia Star Boy,” had been a rising figure within the NPP. Young, eloquent, and assertive, he represented a new generation of Ghanaian lawmakers committed to reform, grassroots development, and political accountability.
His tenure in Parliament, though brief, was marked by passionate contributions, particularly on matters affecting youth and mining communities—key issues in his Eastern Region constituency.
The cause of Ernest Kumi’s sudden death remains unconfirmed at the time of this report, with party officials and family sources maintaining a respectful silence as arrangements are made for his final rites.
As tributes pour in from across the political spectrum, one thing remains clear: Ernest Kumi’s death is not just a loss to Akwatia, but to the entire nation.
He was a symbol of political promise, a fighter for justice, and a beacon of youthful leadership in a turbulent political landscape.
In his closing words, Sammi Awuku offered a parting message that captures the sorrow and gratitude of a grieving colleague: “Rest well, my Akwatia Star Boy! Your memory lives on in the hearts that carry your light.”
