Flag bearer-hopeful of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kojo Bonsu has refuted claims that he is at loggerheads with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and his sub-chiefs.

The royal said he respects his cousin, the Asantehene, and has a good relationship with him.

The former mayor of Kumasi had problems with some sub-chiefs in Kumasi in 2016. They accused him of disrespecting them when he questioned the locus of the Chief of Amoaman, Nana Agyenim Boateng, who was appointed by Otumfuo to represent the chiefs on a committee to supervise the construction of the Kejetia market.

The peeved chiefs slaughtered a sheep at the Asantehene's Palace in Manhyia to sever ties with Mr Bonsu, who later apologised to the Asantehene and his sub-chiefs.

Speaking about his current relationship with the traditional authorities in the Ashanti Region on Accra-based Starr FM, on Thursday, 4 October 2018, Mr Bonsu said he has no problem with the chiefs.

“Otumfuo is my first cousin, we have a very good relationship, we are brothers as we Asantes call it. I worship the stool, so, the greatest respect goes to Otumfuo and Manhyia,” he stated.

He continued: “It isn’t true that I have problems with Otumfuo or Manhyia. [Otumfuo] is somebody that I respect and worship, so, it’s not true. Yes, I had problems with some of his sub-chiefs but Otumfuo was not involved in this matter.”

Mr Bonsu noted that his apology to the sub-chiefs was “an honest apology,” and he has since not had any problem with the traditional authorities.