Sub-chiefs within the Ashanti Region have voiced strong criticism against Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, for his recent remarks questioning the authority of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Dormaahene had warned against any attempt by Otumfuo to elevate the Fiapre chief in the Bono region, arguing that, according to Ghana’s constitution, the Asantehene is recognized solely as a paramount chief and, therefore, lacks the jurisdiction to install another paramount chief on land outside his domain.
However, several sub-chiefs from the Ashanti Kingdom have firmly disagreed with Dormaahene’s stance. Nana Akuoko Kwarteng, the Nkosuohene of the Essumeja Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, addressed the issue in an interview on Asantemanso TV, stating that Dormaahene’s claims are both unfounded and misleading.
“If someone claims that Otumfuo lacks the power to elevate a paramount chief, it either shows ignorance or a deliberate attempt to mislead,” he remarked.
Nana Akuoko Kwarteng emphasized the deep-rooted historical and cultural significance of Otumfuo’s authority, highlighting that Otumfuo’s position is distinct from all other chiefs, both by tradition and under government law. He further criticized Dormaahene’s use of his position as President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs to make such threats, labeling it as short-sighted.
“His position as President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, which he is using as leverage, could be taken away from him one day, but Otumfuo’s position, being hereditary and tied to royalty, will remain unchanged,” Nana Akuoko Kwarteng added.
Nana Osei Kufour Kowia, the chief linguist of Asanteman Benkumhehe, also expressed his disapproval of Dormaahene’s comments, questioning his authority to challenge Otumfuo.
“Who are you to say that Otumfuo doesn’t have the authority? If you take God out, Otumfuo is next in line. Even the whites recognize Otumfuo’s unique status among chiefs,” he said.
He appealed to the Aduana chiefs in the Ashanti region to advise Dormaahene to cease his attacks on Otumfuo.
Nana Kofi Gyakyi, a sub-chief at Essumeja, added that Dormaahene’s repeated criticism is inadvertently elevating Otumfuo’s status.
“Dormaahene’s constant rants are only increasing Otumfuo’s prominence. The more he does this, the more people are drawn to learn about Otumfuo. He doesn’t realize that he’s actually uplifting Otumfuo even more,” Nana Kofi Gyakyi commented.
Dormaahene has maintained that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, does not have the authority to install a paramount chief at Fiapre, a town in the Sunyani West Municipal in the Bono Region. He asserted that the Fiaprehene owes allegiance to the paramount chief of Odumase, who oversees the area.