The Asantehene’s control over certain paramount chiefs whose jurisdictions fall within the political and governmental demarcated areas in other areas apart from the Ashanti Region, such as in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Western and Oti regions has come under critique throughout 2023.
At the forefront of this challenge is the Dormaahene who vigorously protested the scope of powers of Manhyia.
Osagyefo Oseadeayo Agyemang Badu II, the Dormaahene, who is also a High Court judge repeated his utterances and raised issues with how the Asantehene elevates chiefs to the status of paramountcy and also said there was “no King in Ghana” as the 1992 Constitution does not make any reference and room for that.
However, United Nations Peace Ambassador, Bishop Ben Owusu, has said the time has come for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the National Peace Council to step in and resolve the feud between the Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II and the Dormaahene, Oseadeayo Agyemang Badu II.
In his view, the issue between the two traditional leaders can result in dire consequences if not addressed immediately.
“The time has come for the President and the National Peace Council to intervene and find a lasting solution to this. You may not notice it, but this issue is gradually getting out of hand and the earlier we address it the better it is for all of us. I blame the Peace Council for watching on to allow the verbal exchanges to take place. I think the Peace Council is more interested in political issues than other national issues, it shouldn’t be so.”
Bishop Ben Owusu
Recently, while commenting on this issue, the Minister of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng told all traditional rulers to recognize that Ghana is now a democratic state governed by the rule of law. He said there was no need to engage in verbal warfare to demonstrate one’s dominance or supremacy over other tribes. He added that the days when one tribe would wage war against the other to demonstrate their authority are over.
Earlier, at an Asanteman Council meeting at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Thursday, October 19, 2023, the Asantehene replied to Dormaahene by recounting the history of how the Dormaa stool was elevated to the status of a paramount chief by an Asantehene. Otumfuor Osei Tutu II explained that it was his uncle, the then Asantehene, who even elevated the status of the Dormaa stool to the level of a paramount chief. He added that even before Agyemang Badu I was enstooled as Dormaa chief, Agyemang Badu I, an uncle of the current Dormaa chief, Agyemang Badu II, swore the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene.
Notwithstanding, the Dormaahene argued that since Ghana is a state, there is no Kingdom within Ghana for the Asantehene to be referred to as a King. Osagyefo Oseadeayo Agyemang Badu II suggested that the mention and reference to the Asantehene in the Chieftaincy Act, was not proper and that as part of a proposal to amend the Chieftaincy Act, he, together with others, will lead a campaign for the Asantehene’s name to be removed from the Chieftaincy Act. He said if that was not done, it would mean other chiefs, such as the Ya Naa, Nayiri, and others, would also have to be mentioned in the Chieftaincy Act.
High Stakes Of Delay
It is imperative to promptly address the escalating feud between Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Dormaahene, Oseadeayo Agyeman Badu II, to prevent potential dire consequences. The discord, rooted in disputes over traditional leadership jurisdiction, risks exacerbating tensions and disrupting the social fabric.
The Peace Council’s delay in mitigating the verbal exchanges is concerning, as the situation may spiral out of control.
As the feud involves historical grievances, the conflict resolution must align with modern democratic values. The call for intervention is not only a plea for harmony among traditional rulers but also a recognition that the evolving democratic landscape demands a shift from historical animosities.
To safeguard national unity, the Peace Council and the President must lead swift and effective mediation, demonstrating that in a democratic Ghana, disputes are resolved through dialogue and respect for the rule of law. The stakes are high, and the timely resolution of this feud is pivotal for the well-being of the nation.
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