In Ghana’s chieftaincy hierarchy, no name sparks more reverence—or controversy—than the Asantehene.

• Aflao chief hails Asantehene as “father.”

• Chieftaincy HQ is uniquely at Manhyia, not Accra.

• Law distinguishes Asantehene from other chiefs.

• Dormaahene challenges Asantehene’s authority.

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It’s not coincidence that all of Ghana’s government institutions are headquartered in Accra except the Chieftaincy institution, which is headquartered not only in the Ashanti region or even Kumasi but right at Manhyia, a stone throw from ‘Dwabrem’—where the Asantehene holds important Asante festivals like Adae Kese and funeral rites, among others.

 On Thursday, September 18th 2025, the paramount chief of Aflao from the Volta region minced no words by calling the Asantehene his ‘father.’ This comes on the heels of another eye-watering moment when the Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, Vice President of the National House of Chiefs expressed deep gratitude to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for playing a decisive role in preventing his deskinment more than a decade ago.

Asantehene and other Paramount Chiefs

In Ghana’s Chieftaincy Act, the categories of chiefs is stated as ‘The Asantehene and the other Paramount Chiefs ‘. This has led to a lot of interpretations and misinterpretations as to whether the Asantehene is a paramount chief or above a paramount chief.

Asking such a question is tantamount to asking whether both the president of Russia and the presidents of the former smaller republics like Latvia are of equal international status. The Asantehene is the only traditional leader who controlled an entire nation of current day 4 regions—Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono and Bono East—and beyond before Ghana was pieced together out of the three territories and Ashanti ( Ashanti region, Bono region, Ahafo region and Bono East region).

Disrespect from Dormaahene

The paramount chief of Dormaa, Osaagyefo Agyemang Badu II has been a thorn in the flesh of Asanteman and Asantehene. Formerly a prominent member of Asanteman, the erstwhile Dormaahene, Agyemang Badu I, who reportedly dressed ‘inappropriately’ at Manhyia and was thus urged to take certain ornaments off his body, angrily broke up with Asanteman and supported Kwame Nkrumah to undermine the authority of the Asantehene, leading to the formation of the Brong Ahafo region—which would eventually be misunderstood as a new traditional council of Asanteman rather than its initial purpose of just for administration.

He’s openly called the Asantehene and Omanhene and nothing more, claimed the Asantehene only governed the Kumasi lands, twisted Asante, Akan, and Aduana clan history, and openly denigrated the golden stool in his bid to infuriate the Asantehene, but to no avail. 

As Kumasi continues to unite the traditional areas and leaders, few, especially the Dormaahene, continue to foment disintegration by preaching a certain Bonokyempem.

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