Parliament was thrown into disarray on July 17, 2025, as Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga called for clarity on the status of the Akwatia parliamentary seat, following the death of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for the constituency.
The request sparked a heated exchange and culminated in a dramatic walkout by the Minority Caucus, who described the timing and tone of the inquiry as “insensitive and politically motivated.”
During proceedings, Ayariga urged Speaker Alban Bagbin to confirm when the seat would be formally declared vacant, nearly two weeks after the legislator’s passing.
He argued that parliamentary leadership had already visited the bereaved family and received confirmation of the MP’s death, which was publicly acknowledged on national television.
“Whenever a vacancy occurs in Parliament, the Clerk of Parliament shall notify the Electoral Commission in writing within seven days after becoming aware. Mr Speaker, if Ghanaians ask the Clerk if he is aware or not, can he say he is not aware?” Ayariga questioned.
Speaker Bagbin responded by emphasizing that formal written communication from the family was required before the Clerk could notify the Electoral Commission. “In writing to the Electoral Commission about a vacancy caused by the death of an MP, the Clerk needs more than a visit to the family,” he stated.
The situation escalated when Ayariga alleged that the NPP had already begun circulating campaign posters of the late MP’s widow, Mavis Kumi, as a potential candidate for the anticipated by-election.
This remark was met with outrage from the Minority, who viewed it as premature and disrespectful during a period of mourning.
“Let’s be sensitive about the situation and not create a wrong impression,” Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin urged, before leading his colleagues out of the chamber in protest.
According to Article 112(5) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, the Clerk of Parliament must notify the Electoral Commission within seven days of becoming aware of a vacancy, and a by-election must be held within sixty days if the vacancy is due to death.
However, procedural norms require formal documentation from the deceased’s family to initiate this process.
The late Ernest Yaw Kumi, who won the Akwatia seat in the 2024 general elections, passed away on July 7, 2025, after a brief illness.
His tenure was marked by legal battles, including a contempt conviction that was overturned by the Supreme Court just weeks before his death.
The clash in Parliament has reignited debates about, Respect for parliamentary decorum during periods of mourning, Timing and transparency in declaring vacant seats, Political maneuvering in the lead-up to by-elections
While the Majority insists on procedural urgency, the Minority calls for empathy and restraint. Civil society groups have also weighed in, urging Parliament to prioritize dignity and due process over political expediency.
As the Clerk awaits formal communication from the bereaved family, the Akwatia seat remains in limbo, symbolizing the delicate balance between constitutional duty and human sensitivity.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
