A simmering rivalry between two of Ghana’s most prominent traditional leaders has flared up once again, captivating the nation with its intensity. On March 21, 2025, Osagyefo Dr. Agyemang Badu II, the Dormaahene, delivered a fiery rebuke to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, over a decision that has reignited debates about power and jurisdiction in Ghana’s chieftaincy system.
The spark? The Asantehene’s recent move to elevate the Fiapre Traditional Council to paramount status—a decision the Dormaahene views as a direct overreach into his domain. Speaking to the media, the Dormaahene didn’t hold back, issuing a challenge that has sent ripples through traditional circles. “I dare the Asantehene,” he declared, his voice resolute. “As the Dormaahene and president of the Bono people, I say this: if he raises the Fiapre stool to paramountcy, I will step down from my throne that very day.”
His words underscore the gravity of the dispute and his unwavering stance that the Asantehene lacks the authority to meddle in territories beyond his traditional boundaries. This dramatic escalation stems from an announcement made just days earlier, on March 17, during a gathering of the Asanteman Council. There, the Asantehene laid out his plan to grant paramount status to four traditional councils, including Fiapre, asserting his dominance with confidence. “Nkyeraa is mine, Menye is mine,” he proclaimed. “No one else can elevate them. They belong to me, and I will see this through in Bono and Ahafo this year.”
But the Dormaahene sees this as a bold overstep. “How can you claim such authority while I’m still here?” he shot back, questioning the Asantehene’s jurisdiction. “As a manhene of Asanteman, what right do you have to make that call?” For him, the Fiapre stool’s elevation is not just a procedural matter—it’s a challenge to his leadership and the autonomy of the Bono people.
This clash isn’t a new chapter but rather a continuation of a long-standing disagreement. The Dormaahene has consistently maintained that, despite the Asantehene’s recognition as a paramount chief under Ghana’s legal framework, his influence doesn’t extend to creating new paramountcy's outside Asanteman. The Fiapre issue has only deepened the divide, particularly since the council reportedly sought the Asantehene’s intervention after hitting a wall with the Bono House of Chiefs. Insiders trace this move back to the late Nana Poku, Fiapre’s former chief, whose leadership set the stage for this controversial bid.
The stakes are high, and the tension palpable. What began as a disagreement over traditional protocol has morphed into a broader struggle over influence, legacy, and the boundaries of authority in Ghana’s rich cultural landscape. As both leaders stand their ground, the nation watches closely, waiting to see how this historic rivalry will unfold—and what it means for the future of chieftaincy in the region.
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