By Daniel Bampoe
The governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has plunged deeper into one of its biggest internal controversies in recent years after suspending the Awutu Senya East Constituency Chairman, Stephen Ofosu Agyare, over allegations arising from a bitter dispute with the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, that has been fuelled by leaked audio recordings, claims of an alleged sexual relationship and deepening factional divisions within the party.
The decision, announced by the party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC), follows a formal petition filed by the MP accusing the constituency chairman of repeatedly making false and defamatory claims that they had been involved in an intimate relationship and of engaging in conduct that had brought the party into public disrepute.
In a letter dated July 22, 2026, the NDC Headquarters announced that Ofosu Agyare had been suspended from office for five months with immediate effect, pending a full disciplinary investigation.
The party explained that the decision was taken after the FEC, at its meeting on July 21, 2026, considered the petition submitted by the MP together with recommendations from the Central Regional Council of Elders, contained in a letter referenced COC/CR/001 dated July 20, 2026.
According to the NDC, the committee found sufficient grounds to invoke Articles 48(4) and 48(6) of the party’s Constitution, leading to the chairman’s immediate suspension.
The suspension bars Ofosu Agyare from performing any official functions or exercising any authority as Constituency Chairman throughout the five-month period or until the party issues further directives.
The matter has also been referred to the National Disciplinary Committee, which has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation and recommending any additional sanctions that may be warranted under the party’s constitution.
MP Rejects Alleged Affair, Calls Claims False And Defamatory
Documents accompanying the disciplinary process reveal that the suspension stems from a petition personally filed by Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor on June 24, 2026, in which she categorically denied allegations that she had ever been romantically involved with the constituency chairman.
In the petition addressed to the NDC General Secretary, the MP accused Ofosu Agyare of waging what she described as a years-long campaign to tarnish her reputation by repeatedly alleging that they had been in a romantic and sexual relationship.
According to the petition, the alleged conduct dates back to 2019, when she emerged as the party’s parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya East.
The MP stated that despite repeated complaints to party leadership and interventions by senior officials, the alleged conduct had continued and escalated over the years.
She further alleged that in recent weeks, the chairman circulated audio recordings and messages on party communication platforms in which he claimed they had engaged in sexual relations on several occasions.
The MP firmly rejected those claims.
“I categorically state that these allegations are false, malicious, defamatory, and intended solely to destroy my reputation, dignity, credibility and standing within the party and society,” she stated in the petition.
She further argued that the allegations had caused serious damage to her marriage, family life, emotional well-being and public image as a Member of Parliament.
According to her, the continued circulation of the allegations had subjected her to ridicule, humiliation and emotional distress while undermining party unity in one of the NDC’s most politically strategic constituencies.
The petition also accused the chairman of allegedly encouraging or tolerating coordinated attacks against her by some party members on internal communication platforms.
The MP maintained that such conduct was prejudicial to the image, discipline and electoral fortunes of the governing party.
She warned that if the NDC failed to act through its internal disciplinary structures, she would be left with no option but to pursue legal action in her personal capacity to protect her reputation.
Leaked Audio Intensifies Political Storm
The controversy gained national attention after the circulation of an audio recording purportedly featuring Ofosu Agyare discussing an alleged intimate relationship with the MP.
The recording, which was circulated widely on social media and messaging platforms, sparked intense public debate and triggered protests from sections of the NDC Women’s Wing, with many demanding disciplinary action against the constituency chairman.
The chairman’s alleged remarks were reportedly made after the MP’s spokesperson publicly claimed during a radio interview that Ofosu Agyare had proposed to the MP to become his second wife.
The leaked recording subsequently transformed what had initially appeared to be an internal constituency disagreement into a full-blown political controversy attracting national attention.
Fresh Marriage Document Fuels More Speculation
As public debate over the leaked audio intensified, another controversy emerged following the circulation on social media of a document purporting to show that the MP’s husband, Yussif Yunusah, entered into 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 generated widespread public discussion.
However, neither Yunusah nor MP Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor has publicly confirmed the authenticity of the document or commented on the allegations arising from it.
Similarly, no court has authenticated the document, and there is no judicial determination regarding its legal validity or current status.
Political Rivalry Predated Current Crisis
The controversy is unfolding against the backdrop of long-standing tensions within the Awutu Senya East Constituency.
Political observers say disagreements between the MP and the constituency chairman have simmered for years, particularly following the NDC’s electoral victory in 2024.
Reports from sections of the constituency suggest disputes over appointments, constituency administration and political influence deepened after the elections, resulting in court actions, internal disagreements and exchanges on party communication platforms.
Supporters of Ofosu Agyare have alleged that he played a significant role in supporting the MP’s parliamentary ambition before their relationship deteriorated.
Some supporters have also claimed that the two shared a personal relationship before political differences emerged.
Those claims have not been independently verified, and neither Ofosu Agyare nor Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor has publicly confirmed them.
Lawyer Adds to Public Debate
The controversy further escalated after legal practitioner Hafiz Saeed publicly commented on the dispute.
According to the lawyer, the disagreement extends beyond suggestions that the chairman merely proposed marriage to the MP.
He alleged that the two shared a close relationship before politics strengthened their association and further claimed that Ofosu Agyare sacrificed his own political ambitions and invested financially in support of the MP’s political career.
He also alleged that tensions intensified after the MP allegedly entered a relationship with her current husband before completely ending her association with the chairman.
These remain allegations made by the lawyer and have not been independently substantiated. Neither the MP nor her husband has publicly responded to those assertions.
