The Berekum Kontihene, Osahene Asomah Agyeman Sabi II, has hit back at the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, for making false claims about the processes leading to the enstoolment of a new Berekumhene.

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The Kontihene, who is a spokesperson for the Berekum Traditional Council, said that the Dormaahene had no authority or knowledge to speak for the Berekum people on matters of succession and chieftaincy.

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He also defended the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, from the accusations of the Dormaahene, who alleged that the Asantehene had locked out other royal gates in favour of the current royal family in Berekum.

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The Kontihene, who was speaking in an interview posted on Facebook, explained that contrary to the Dormaahene's claim that the Berekum Traditional Area has four royal houses, the truth per a Supreme Court ruling was that it is a single royal house.

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He said that the Asantehene did not alter any ruling house arrangement, but rather followed the Supreme Court ruling, which is the existing policy.

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“Asantehene did not alter any ruling house arrangement, it was a Supreme Court ruling which is the existing policy. So, if Dormaahene says something like that, he is wrong, Otumfuo has done nothing. Keep his name out.

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“On Berekum matters, Dormaahene is for all intents and purposes not our spokesman. If he doesn’t have the facts, there is no need sitting on social media and peddling claims…that is why I want to absolve Otumfuo,” he stated.

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The Kontihene also emphasised that the Berekum people owe allegiance to the Golden Stool, and that the Asantehene came to dignify Berekum by attending the funeral of the late Berekumhene, Nana Yiadom Boakye II, who died in 2020.

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"Otumfuo came to dignify Berekum because if you can recall, all Berekum Paramount Chiefs went to swear oath of allegiance at Manhyia Palace. Nana Boakye did, the same with Dasebre somewhere in 2002. We owe allegiance to the Golden Stool, so it is not for Dormaahene to speak for us,” he reportedly noted.

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The Dormaahene, who is also the President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, was stopped by a Sunyani High Court from attending the funeral of the late Berekumhene last week, following a petition by some aggrieved parties.

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The Dormaahene, after he was barred from the funeral, lamented the development and stressed that he was the right person to honour the late chief.

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The incident was the latest leg of a public spat between the Dormaahene and Asantehene over the status and influence of the Ashanti overlord outside of his immediate jurisdiction.

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