Berekum Chief, Osahene Asomah Agyeman Sabi II, has emphasized that Berekum Paramount Chiefs owe allegiance to the Manhyia Palace and no one else.
This comes on the back of allegations that the Asantehene had locked out other royal gates in favour of the current royal family in matters to do with the successor to the late Berekumhene.
Bu the Berekumhene indicated that “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.
“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 Otunfuo,” he stressed.
“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 added.
In response to his prohibition from attending the late Paramount Chief’s funeral, Dormaahene expressed lamentation, emphasized his suitability for honoring the late chief, and suggested that Berekum should recognize his potential future significance to them.
This incident adds to the ongoing public dispute between Dormaahene and Asantehene regarding the status and influence of the Ashanti overlord beyond his direct jurisdiction.