Wontumi wades into Otumfuo – Dormaahene rift; accuses Mahama of dividing chiefs

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, widely referred to as Chairman Wontumi, has urged the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, to prioritize unity and stability in Ghana amidst allegations of former President John Mahama’s interference in chieftaincy affairs.

His comments come on the back of the historic power play between the two monarchs which has culminated in public utterances seemingly pitting the Kingdom and the Chieftain against each other, on the scale of supremacy and authority.

Speaking in an interview with Kojo Marfo on AbusuaNkommo the chairman contended that Dormaahene could never compare himself with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and admonished him to stay in his 'lane'.

He insisted, “Dormaahene will be Dormaahene, and Asantehene will be Asantehene. I am a member of the Aduana clan; my brother is the Sum Nya chief. My grandparents are members of the Ayoko clan. We, the Aduana people, pave the way for the Ayoko people, so Aduana people are Aduana, and Oyoko is Oyoko.”

He then told Aduana Piesie that he always accords the Dormaahene respect whenever he speaks because he is also a member of the Aduana clan.

Addressing Dormaahene directly Chairman Wontumi appealed, “You are my brother stop what you’re doing and make Chieftaincy rich in our country.

“Dormaahene, you are my brother. Stop what you’re doing and make Ghana stable. Otumfuo is Otumfuo," he stressed.

The Regional Chairman accused the Dormaahene of publicly applauding people who speak ill of individuals in society and urged him to refrain from that.

“Whenever you speak, you are always showering praises on people who always insult. Why? I am your brother. Stop that, it doesn’t look well on you,” he advised.

Chairman Wontumi alleged that the flagbearer of the Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, was causing divisions among chiefs in Ghana and sponsoring people to attack Asanteman.

“Mahama has employed people to attack and insult Asanteman. He is sowing seeds of dissension among the chiefs,” he claimed.

He also alleged that money meant for NDC media monitors, serial callers and social media influencers like Appiah Stadium, have been transferred to vociferous vlogger Kevin Taylor to do what he called ‘jandam’.