Lawyer, because of what I am being put through… – What late Ernest Kumi told Effia MP

The Member of Parliament for Effia, Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, has paid a touching tribute to the late Ernest Kumi, MP for Akwatia, highlighting the quiet but meaningful impact he made during his brief time in Parliament.

Speaking on Peace FM, Boamah-Nyarko shared memories of Kumi’s commitment to public service, even in the face of legal challenges early in his parliamentary career.

“When he was dragged to court, he confided in me that he did not want to contribute on the floor of Parliament because of the case. He felt that any public comment could be used against him,” Boamah-Nyarko disclosed. “He told me, ‘Lawyer, because of what I am being put through, I don’t want to make any contribution on the floor for some time.’”

Though Kumi kept a low profile in Parliament at the time, Boamah-Nyarko described him as intelligent and insightful—someone who could hold deep conversations on economics and business in private.

“He was very knowledgeable and well-versed in many areas. Those who interacted with him knew his worth,” he added.

He explained that Kumi was being cautious, especially after he was once accused of talking too freely while a legal case against him was still in court, which eventually led to a contempt citation. To avoid giving his opponents any reason to target him further, Kumi chose to stay silent in Parliament for a while.

“Eventually, after two months, we discussed the matter again and agreed that the people of Akwatia deserved to hear from their MP. We re-strategised, and he returned to parliamentary debates with renewed focus,” Boamah-Nyarko said.

He praised Kumi for finding his voice in Parliament, saying it takes some MPs several years to make their mark, but Kumi was able to speak about five to six times in just a few months—and each time, he spoke without notes and with strong conviction.

Boamah-Nyarko also spoke about Kumi’s dedication to his constituency, recalling a visit to Takoradi during which Kumi shared his vision for Akwatia.

“When he visited Takoradi, he outlined his plans to lift the people of Akwatia out of poverty and improve education in the area. That’s why he was always visiting the constituency, he genuinely cared.”

Ernest Kumi was a first-time MP who served only six months in Parliament, with much of that time overshadowed by a legal dispute over the 2024 election results. He passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, after a short illness.