On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Minority in Ghana’s Parliament, led by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), staged a walkout in protest against Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga’s remarks regarding the vacant Akwatia parliamentary seat following the death of MP Ernest Yaw Kumi on July 7, 2025.
During parliamentary proceedings, Ayariga questioned Speaker Alban Bagbin on when the seat would be formally declared vacant, referencing a recent visit by parliamentary leadership to Kumi’s family.
He further alleged that the NPP had circulated campaign posters featuring Kumi’s widow, Mavis Kumi, suggesting her intent to contest the anticipated by-election.
The Minority, finding Ayariga’s comments premature and insensitive during a period of mourning, exited the chamber in protest.
Speaker Bagbin clarified that Parliament could not declare the seat vacant or notify the Electoral Commission until it received formal communication from Kumi’s family.
The Eastern Regional NPP has since denied claims of Mavis Kumi’s candidacy, calling the posters “false and misleading” and affirming her focus on mourning her husband.
The walkout, reported by outlets like Citi Newsroom and TV3 Ghana, underscores tensions over the timing of discussions about the Akwatia by-election, with the Minority accusing Ayariga of politicizing a sensitive issue
