Reports suggesting that Mrs. Mavis Kumi, widow of the late Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Kumi, will contest the vacant parliamentary seat have been debunked by the Eastern Regional Executive Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to a press release by Eastern Regional NPP Chairman Jeff Konadu Addo on Tuesday, July 15, he 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,” parts of the statement said.

It 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,” the release added.

A by-election is expected to be conducted in the coming days for the Akwatia constituency, following the death of its Member of Parliament (MP), Ernest Yaw Kumi.

The Akwatia MP was reported dead on Monday, July 7. Last month, the apex court overturned a 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.

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.

The injunction stemmed from a legal challenge by Henry Boakye-Yiadom, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate and former MP, who contested the election results.

Boakye-Yiadom had 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.

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, 2025, 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.

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