The Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, has refuted media claims suggesting that she denied the occurrence of violent incidents in her constituency during the 2020 elections. Her clarification follows a statement from the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohamed-Mubarak, who, during a press briefing on November 4, shared updates from the task force investigating electoral violence.
The Minister had mentioned that the task force observed that “the honourable Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okennor denied that her convoy was attacked.” In response, Philis Okunor addressed the press on November 6 to set the record straight, emphasizing that she never denied that violence took place.
“I am here today to clarify matters arising from the interview and the report submitted by the task force commissioned by the president to investigate election violence from 2020 to 2024 in Ghana,” she stated.
She explained that she had initially chosen to remain silent despite calls from well-meaning Ghanaians and witnesses in her constituency who had seen what she described as brutal attacks.
“At no point did I say that no attacks happened,” she affirmed.
The MP recounted that her convoy had been followed by vehicles allegedly linked to her political opponent. She told the press that she had informed the task force that, on Election Day, her convoy was being followed by a V8 vehicle believed to be associated with Hawa Koomson, along with a NADMO pickup bearing the green government number plate.
“After visiting some polling stations, I decided to return home because I felt my life was in danger,” she explained.
Expressing confidence in the ongoing investigation, she said she believed the full truth would eventually be uncovered.
“I am convinced that, by the end of this inquiry, the facts will come to light,” she stated.
Addressing concerns about witnesses’ reluctance to testify, she noted that this issue was beyond her control.
“The unwillingness of witnesses to testify is not something I can influence,” she said. “There are videos of some of these attacks, and they are available to aid the committee’s work.”
She questioned whether the absence of eyewitness testimony meant that the documented acts of violence did not happen, especially given reports of injuries and fatalities.
Although she preferred to wait for the final report before speaking out, she felt compelled to address the matter now.
“I cannot remain silent on an inconclusive report, as the Honourable Minister for Interior stated during his briefing,” she said.
She clarified that she had not yet submitted a formal written statement to the police, and any media reports claiming otherwise were false.
“Officially, I have not given my written statement to the police due to the mistreatment I faced during the 2020 election violence. Therefore, any statements circulating in the media are inaccurate and not from me,” she emphasized.
Finally, she called for unity within her constituency and urged the task force to accurately represent her comments.
“As the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, I see myself as a mother to all. I have called for reconciliation and unity among all party members,” she stated.“I trust the task force will stick closely to what I told them, to ensure fairness and progress for all.”
