BY ISSAH OLEGOR
Ghanaian Kumawood actor Stephen Yaw Mawunyo, popularly known as Oteele, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm after an alleged private video involving him and an unidentified woman circulated widely online.
The controversy has not only placed the actor under intense public scrutiny but has also reopened difficult questions about his marriage after an April 2025 interview in which his wife, Gifty Nana Afriyie, spoke about alleged infidelity during their long relationship.
The video, whose authenticity has not been independently established in the material provided, reportedly shows Oteele in what appears to be a romantic moment with a woman identified by some social media users as “Azigi”. Oteele initially remained silent as the footage spread across social media platforms.
His wife, Gifty Nana Afriyie, was the first to publicly respond to the controversy. In an emotional TikTok video, she denied being the woman featured in the footage and apologised on behalf of her family.
Her tearful response immediately intensified public interest in the matter, particularly because Gifty has previously spoken publicly about the challenges she faced during her relationship with Oteele.
Oteele breaks his silence
After hours of silence, Oteele eventually addressed the controversy during a TikTok live session.
Rather than providing an extensive public explanation of the alleged footage, the actor reportedly acknowledged that he had disappointed his family and indicated that he wanted to make peace with his wife.
According to the account provided, Oteele said he intended to approach Gifty together with respected elders to formally seek her forgiveness.
The decision to involve elders is particularly significant within Ghanaian family and traditional settings, where respected family members are often involved in resolving serious marital disputes.
The actor also disclosed the personal effect the controversy had had on him, saying he had gone for almost a day without eating following the emergence of the video.
Children caught in the controversy
The controversy has also generated concern about the couple’s children.
Oteele’s son, Kevin, reportedly shared an emotional TikTok video showing himself dancing with his younger siblings at home. The video attracted sympathetic reactions from social media users concerned about the impact of the public controversy on the children.
Kevin had earlier claimed during a livestream that the circulating footage was generated using artificial intelligence, although the material provided does not establish the authenticity or otherwise of that claim.
The family’s involvement has consequently moved the story beyond celebrity gossip, with public attention increasingly focused on the potential emotional consequences for the children and the future of Oteele’s marriage.
A marriage tested by years of challenges
Oteele and Gifty Nana Afriyie married in 2019 and have five children together. However, their relationship reportedly dates back about 13 years, meaning the couple had spent several years together before formalising their marriage.
Their family also went through a difficult period when Oteele suffered a mysterious illness that reportedly lasted about three years. The actor was at various points said to have been bedridden and unable to walk or speak.
Oteele has publicly acknowledged the role his wife played during that period, with her support becoming an important part of his recovery story.
Against that background, the latest controversy has attracted heightened attention because of the history between the couple and the sacrifices Gifty reportedly made during her husband’s health struggles.
Old infidelity allegations return
As the alleged video continued to circulate, an interview Gifty gave in April 2025 resurfaced.
In that interview, she reportedly accused Oteele of repeated infidelity during their relationship. Despite the alleged incidents, she said she chose to remain in the relationship while establishing boundaries.
One of the boundaries she reportedly set was that Oteele would not be allowed to bring any alleged mistress into their matrimonial home.
The resurfacing of those comments has given the current controversy an additional dimension, with social media users revisiting the couple’s previous relationship struggles while debating what the latest footage could mean.
However, the alleged video itself remains unverified based on the information provided, and the identity of the woman in the footage has not been independently established.
From CD seller to kumawood fame
Oteele’s current troubles contrast sharply with the journey that brought him into Ghana’s entertainment industry.
Born Stephen Yaw Mawunyo, the actor reportedly once dreamed of becoming a medical doctor. However, his career took a different direction when he began selling CDs in Kumasi with Miracle Films.
He subsequently entered Kumawood, the Kumasi-based Twi-language film industry, and established himself as a comic actor. His performances alongside other popular Ghanaian comedians, including Dr Likee, helped strengthen his profile among Kumawood audiences.
Over the years, Oteele became known for his comedic roles and developed a substantial following both in Ghana and among Ghanaians abroad.
His personal life, however, has increasingly attracted public attention alongside his entertainment career, particularly because of the health challenges he experienced and the role his wife played during his recovery.
Apology could determine the next chapter
Oteele’s reported decision to seek forgiveness from Gifty with the involvement of elders now places the future of their relationship at the centre of the controversy.
While the actor has acknowledged letting his family down, the material provided does not indicate whether his wife has accepted his apology or whether the couple has agreed to reconcile.
