BY Daniel Bampoe
The internal crisis engulfing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Awutu Senya East Constituency, Kasoa has taken another dramatic turn following the circulation of alleged customary marriage documents involving Yussif Yunusah, husband of the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, alongside fresh claims over the deteriorating relationship between the MP and Constituency Chairman Stephen Ofosu Agyare.
The latest developments come just days after a leaked audio recording, allegedly featuring Chairman Ofosu Agyare narrating his sexual relationship with the MP.
In the recording, the chairman is purportedly heard making personal remarks about the Member of Parliament, comments that triggered protests by sections of the NDC Women’s Wing and renewed calls for disciplinary action against him.
As debate over the leaked audio continues, social media has been flooded with documents purporting to show that Yussif Yunusah contracted a customary marriage with a woman identified as Esther Rita Amoashie in October 2021.
The document, described as a statutory declaration allegedly sworn before a notary public, has become the latest subject of intense public discussion.However, neither Yunusah nor the Member of Parliament has publicly confirmed or commented on the authenticity of the document or the claims surrounding it.
Political Dispute Expands Beyond Leaked Audio
What initially appeared to be a controversy surrounding alleged comments in the leaked audio has now evolved into a wider political battle involving the personal and political relationships of key figures within the constituency.
Political observers say the crisis reflects years of unresolved disagreements between Chairman Ofosu Agyare and Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor.
According to accounts from some party members and political commentators, the chairman was among those who strongly supported Naa Koryoo’s parliamentary ambitions ahead of the 2020 elections.
Supporters of the chairman allege that beyond politics, the two were involved in a personal relationship before the MP eventually ended contact with him after assuming office.
Those claims have not been independently verified, and neither the chairman nor the MP has publicly confirmed them.
Lawyer Weighs Into Controversy
Adding to the public debate, legal practitioner Hafiz Saeed publicly commented on the controversy, claiming the dispute extends beyond suggestions that the MP merely rejected a marriage proposal.
According to him, the chairman and the MP allegedly shared a close relationship for some time before politics brought them together.
He further alleged that Chairman Ofosu Agyare sacrificed his own political ambitions to support Naa Koryoo’s parliamentary bid because of their relationship.
The lawyer also claimed the chairman invested not only emotionally but financially in her political campaign before the relationship eventually broke down.
These assertions remain the personal claims of the commentator and have not been independently substantiated.
Allegations of Betrayal
According to the lawyer’s account, tensions reportedly escalated after the MP allegedly began a relationship with Yussif Yunusah before formally ending her association with Chairman Ofosu Agyare.
He claimed the chairman felt betrayed by developments that followed the 2024 election victory, believing he had been sidelined both politically and personally.
Neither the MP nor her husband has publicly responded to those allegations.
Marriage Document Sparks Fresh Questions
The emergence of the alleged statutory declaration has generated fresh public discussion.The document appears to indicate that Yunusah contracted a customary marriage with Esther Rita Amoashie in October 2021 through family representatives.
Its circulation has prompted widespread speculation on social media regarding Yunusah’s marital status.
However, no court has made any finding regarding the document, and no official institution has publicly authenticated it.
Similarly, there is no public evidence before the courts indicating whether the alleged customary marriage remains legally valid, has been dissolved, or what its present status may be.
Long-Running Political Rivalry
The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of months of growing factionalism within the Awutu Senya East NDC.
Following the party’s victory in the 2024 elections, disagreements reportedly emerged over constituency appointments, local party administration and influence within the constituency.
The divisions eventually resulted in court actions, public disagreements and heated exchanges on party WhatsApp platforms.
Supporters of Chairman Ofosu Agyare have also accused the MP’s husband of exerting influence over constituency affairs, while reports suggest the MP is supporting efforts to replace the chairman in the party’s next internal elections. Those claims have also not been independently verified.
Calls for Party Intervention
Political analysts believe the controversy now poses one of the biggest internal challenges facing the governing party in the Central RegionParty supporters continue to urge the National Democratic Congress leadership to intervene before the dispute further damages party unity in one of its key constituencies.
At the time of publication, neither the National Executive Committee of the NDC nor the party’s Central Regional leadership had issued a formal statement addressing the latest allegations.
Likewise, MP Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, her husband Yussif Yunusah and Chairman Stephen Ofosu Agyare had not publicly responded to the newly circulating claims regarding the alleged marriage document.
