The sudden passing of Ernest Yaw Kumi, Member of Parliament for Akwatia, has sparked a call for a comprehensive healthcare support system for lawmakers. Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin expressed his sentiments in a statement read by First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, during the closing remarks of the Second Meeting of the First Session of the Ninth Parliament.
The Speaker described the demise of the young MP, who died at 40, as a devastating loss to Parliament and the nation. He noted that the MP’s death, attributed to heart failure, should serve as a wake-up call on the intense pressures legislators face and the toll it takes on their health.
“We were profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of our colleague Hon. Ernest Yaw Kumi, the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, who passed away on July 7, 2025, at the youthful age of 40. His demise, attributed to heart failure, is a painful reminder of the demanding nature of our calling. As a House, we must begin earnest discussion on a comprehensive healthcare support programme tailored to the unique pressures of our parliamentary work,” Bagbin stated.
The Speaker’s call highlights the need for a healthcare system that addresses the specific challenges faced by MPs, who often work under intense pressure and stress. The proposed healthcare support programme aims to provide lawmakers with the necessary medical care and support to mitigate the risks associated with their demanding roles.
