The United Nations (UN) Peace Ambassador to Ghana, Bishop Ben Owusu, has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the National Peace Council to step in and resolve the feud between Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Dormaahene Oseadeayo Agyeman Badu II.
According to him, the feud between the two traditional leaders could have dire consequences if not immediately addressed.
Speaking on the issue during an interaction with the media, the UN Peace Ambassador to Ghana, Bishop Ben Owusu, said: “What is happening between Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Osaagyefo Agyemang Badu is not healthy for the peace of our beautiful country. Both personalities command huge numbers of people, and if things escalate, it is highly possible it could destabilize the entire country.
“No one should take what is going on between Otumfuo and Dormaahene lightly at all, especially when we pay attention to the incident that happened at Berekum during the funeral and burial of Berekum Paramount Chief.
“Peace is the most expensive commodity that should not be traded for anything. Ashantis and Bonos people are not enemies, so they should not create any scene that will foment any hatred between these two powerful ethnic groups. What’s going on is quite unfortunate, and the United Nations is not happy with it at all.
“The time has come for the President and the National Peace Council to intervene and find a lasting solution to this,” he added.
He further urged both feuding sides to desist from further making provocative statements, stressing that they should put the interest of their people first.
The two traditional leaders, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Dormaahene Oseadeayo Agyeman Badu II, have been going at each other on sensitive issues, mainly supremacy, with the Dormaahene arguing that his paramountcy is independent and does not owe any allegiance to the Asantehene.
The Dormaahene also asserted that the Asantehene is a paramount chief like other traditional leaders and that he is not a king as he carries himself and is seen by some people.
However, the Asantehene disagrees with the Dormaahene’s assertions, maintaining that he is a king and the Dormaa traditional area in the Bono Region is under his jurisdiction.
Recently, during the funeral of the late Berekumhene Daasebre Dr Amankona Diawuo II, Dormaahene faced exclusion from the event by a Sunyani High Court order.
This decision was made as Dormaahene declined to participate in the funeral proceedings a day before Asantehene’s scheduled arrival.
Following the injunction that prevented him from attending the final funeral rites of the late chief of Berekum, the Dormaahene suspended the Berekum Traditional Council from its activities.
