According to a report by Ghanaweb, the traditional disagreement between the Dormaahene and the Asantehene has taken a new turn following recent remarks by Osagyefo Dr. Agyemang Badu II.
Speaking on March 21, 2025, the Dormaahene openly pushed back against Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s decision to raise the Fiapre Traditional Council to the level of paramountcy.
This move has stirred deeper conversations around who holds authority over traditional matters in certain parts of Ghana.
During his media interaction, Dormaahene did not mince words. He made his position very clear and issued a bold challenge to the Asantehene.
In his own words, he said, “I challenge the Asantehene Otumfuo, as the Dormaahene and Bono president, that if he elevates the Fiapre stool to paramountcy, I will abdicate the throne given to me by the Bono people on that very day.”
This strong statement shows the seriousness of the matter from his point of view and underlines his belief that the Asantehene is stepping outside his authority.
This reaction came just days after the Asantehene, during a meeting held by the Asanteman Council on March 17, 2025, had announced his intentions to elevate four traditional councils to paramount status, including Fiapre.
In that meeting, the Asantehene firmly stated his position, saying, “Nkyeraa is mine, Menye is mine. No one other than myself can elevate them. They are all mine. I will elevate those councils in Bono and Ahafo this year.”
However, Dormaahene believes otherwise. In response to that statement, he asked a pointed question: “How can you make such a pronouncement while I am still alive?
As for that, Asantehene, you cannot do it. What authority do you have as a manhene [chief of Asanteman]?” He firmly believes that the Asantehene does not have the power to elevate a stool that falls outside his traditional area.
This ongoing issue has not just started. The Dormaahene has long argued that even though Otumfuo is recognized as a paramount chief under Ghana’s constitution, it does not give him the right to create another paramount chief.
The matter of the Fiapre stool adds more tension to this issue, especially because the Fiapre Traditional Council reportedly reached out to the Asanteman for elevation after they failed to achieve it through the Bono House of Chiefs. Sources say this decision began under the leadership of their late chief, Nana Poku.