Residents of Ejisu in the Ashanti Region are in a state of shock following the sudden demise of the Deputy Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for the constituency, Dr John Ampontuah Kumah.

Dr John Kumah's untimely death occurred on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Suhum Government Hospital after a his health deteriorated rapidly.

In an interview with JoyNews on March 8, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah revealed that the late Deputy Finance Minister had arrived in the constituency on Tuesday from Germany where he was receiving health care, intending to participate in parades to celebrate Independence Day the next day, Wednesday, March 6.

Unfortunately, John Kumah felt too ill during the night and could not make it to the parade ground.

"He came down to the constituency with the intention of attending the peace march parade; unfortunately, during the night, he felt sick, and he could not make it to the parade ground," Osei-Mensah said.

"During the night, the family felt the condition was getting worse and decided to rush him to Accra so that he could emplane to Germany for further check-up. It was on the way that they had to branch to Suhum Hospital because they realized that the situation was deteriorating very fast."

Upon hearing about his passing, residents from his constituency gathered at the late MP's house to mourn.

Some residents spoke highly of Dr John Kumah, portraying him as a genuinely kind-hearted person who not only empathised with others' problems but also lent a compassionate ear to everyone without passing judgment, always ready to provide assistance.

"Everybody in this constituency is his relative. He worked so hard for the entire country and its constituency, he donated to everybody. At some point, people from other constituencies call us to testify to the donations he has made to them," one resident remarked.

"John Kumah never gave us money to spend; he was focused on creating jobs for us. Now he is no more, and he has left the seat vacant for anybody who wants it. We are saddened by the news."