Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, the Dormaahene and Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, has once again stirred controversy with a series of remarks directed at the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Over the years, the outspoken traditional ruler who also serves as a High Court judge under his legal name, Justice Daniel Mensah, has consistently challenged historical narratives, questioned authority and openly criticised the lifestyle and decisions of the Ashanti monarch.

Below are four of his most contentious statements

The Golden Stool looked welded

On August 14, 2025, while speaking at the launch of the Bonokyempem Council in the Bono Region, the Dormaahene cast doubt on the sacred history of the Ashanti Golden Stool (Sika Dwa Kofi).

Tradition holds that the legendary high priest Okomfo Anokye commanded the stool down from the skies onto the lap of Osei Tutu I, the first Asantehene, in the 17th century.

However, Agyeman Badu II dismissed this account, claiming that when the stool was recently displayed, it appeared "welded" rather than divinely descended.

"If anyone tells you they can summon something to descend from the sky, I, Agyeman Badu II, am saying it is a lie," he declared.

Criticism of private jet use and properties abroad

In a separate address to his people, the Dormaahene criticised the Asantehene for allegedly prioritising personal luxury over the welfare of his subordinates.

Without directly naming Otumfuo, he condemned leaders who travel in private jets and acquire properties abroad while their subjects face hardship.

"I will never hire private jets or use my money to buy properties abroad while my people are suffering," he said, in a thinly veiled jab at the Asantehene.

He also rebuked Otumfuo's earlier comments describing Bono chiefs as "violent," arguing that such remarks were divisive and disrespectful.

Nana Obiri Boahen responds to Dormaahene's 'welded Golden Stool' comment

Challenge over Fiapre paramountcy

On March 21, 2025, Agyeman Badu II issued a challenge to the Asantehene over his plans to elevate the Fiapre Traditional Council in Bono to paramountcy.

The Dormaahene insisted that the Fiapre stool falls under his jurisdiction and vowed to abdicate his throne if Otumfuo succeeded.

"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," he declared.

The remark followed Otumfuo's announcement at an Asanteman Council meeting on March 17, 2025, where he asserted his sole authority to elevate divisional councils in both Bono and Ahafo regions.

The Golden Stool looks welded; nobody can command anything from the skies – Dormaahene claims

Blaming Otumfuo for the Sampa chieftaincy crisis

Dormaahene had previously accused the Asantehene of fueling a violent chieftaincy crisis in Sampa, Jaman North District.

Addressing the then Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia at the Bono Regional House of Chiefs in May 2024, he alleged that Otumfuo's interference in a case already before the courts and the Bono chiefs was disrespectful and destabilising.

"Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is the reason the Sampa crisis is persisting… You take out a matter before the court to go and resolve in Kumasi, and you don't bring it before the panel of Bono chiefs," he lamented.

The Dormaahene has long disputed historical claims linking the Bono and Ashanti people, particularly assertions that an Asantehene elevated the Dormaa stool.

In October 2023, he openly rejected Otumfuo's claim that his uncle elevated Dormaa to paramountcy, stressing that the Dormaa stool predated the Ashanti kingdom by some 300 years.

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