The Kantanka Family and Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana (KAMOG) have announced the suspension of the scheduled burial of the late Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo, stating that no funeral rites will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2026, until the courts determine an ongoing dispute over the implementation of the late inventor’s Last Will and Testament.
The Head of the Kantanka Family and Leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana (KAMOG), Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I, who made this known at a press conference in Accra, said the decision followed unsuccessful efforts to achieve unity and consensus among family members regarding the final burial arrangements of the founder of Kristo Asafo Mission.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I said recent developments surrounding the funeral had generated uncertainty, speculation and misinformation, making it necessary for him to publicly clarify the position of the family and the church.
He explained that matters relating to family and customary affairs are traditionally expected to be handled privately through dialogue, mutual respect and established processes.
“It pains me deeply to discuss matters relating to my family and the Church in the public domain,” he said, adding that circumstances beyond his control had compelled him to address the nation to protect the truth, preserve the dignity of his late father and provide clarity to members of Kristo Asafo Mission and the Ghanaian public.
According to him, since the passing of Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo, the Kantanka Family, together with members of the Aduana Kotoko Royal Family, had made several efforts to bring all parties together to organise a peaceful and befitting burial for the renowned inventor, industrialist and religious leader.
Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I disclosed that he personally initiated reconciliation efforts involving members of his family, including his sister, former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo.
He said the reconciliation efforts also involved respected church elders, family heads, chiefs, queen mothers and other eminent traditional leaders who sought to mediate and restore unity among the parties.
However, he said those interventions failed to produce the desired outcome.
“Despite these numerous interventions and goodwill efforts, the desired reconciliation has not been achieved,” Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I stated.
He expressed disappointment over the situation, particularly because of the values of unity, humility and reconciliation which he said Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo promoted throughout his lifetime.
Disagreement Over Last Will and Testament
The Kantanka Family Head further raised concerns over the implementation of the late Apostle’s Last Will and Testament, alleging that some of the wishes expressed in the document have not been carried out as intended.
He claimed that although the Will had been read, the Kantanka Family had not been given custody of the mortal remains of Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo, despite what he described as provisions contained in the document.
According to him, this issue, together with other unresolved matters, had made it difficult for the family to reach an agreement on the final funeral arrangements.
“As things stand, the wishes of our late father have not been honoured in the manner contemplated by his Will,” he said.
Family Takes Legal Action
Following the disagreement, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I announced that the family has instructed its solicitors, Kwame Gyan & Associates, led by Prof. Kwame Gyan, Esq., to commence legal proceedings.
He said the legal action is aimed at seeking appropriate relief from the courts and ensuring that the wishes and directives contained in Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo’s Last Will and Testament receive full legal effect.
The decision, he stressed, was not taken lightly but became necessary after all reasonable avenues for an amicable resolution had been exhausted.
“We have taken this decision with great reluctance and only after exhausting every reasonable avenue for an amicable resolution,” he said.
Appeal for Calm
The Head of the Kantanka Family and Leader of KAMOG appealed to members of Kristo Asafo Mission, the Kantanka Family, sympathisers and the general public to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course.
He urged stakeholders to refrain from circulating unverified information or taking unilateral actions that could undermine the ongoing court proceedings or further deepen divisions within the family.
Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I expressed confidence that the courts would ensure justice is served and that the wishes of the late Apostle would ultimately be respected.
Burial Date Cancelled
Making a firm declaration on the planned funeral date, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I stated that the July 30 burial would not take place.
“I stand on my authority as the Head of the Kantanka Family and the Leader of Kristo Asafo Mission. There will be no burial held on the 30th of this July,” he declared.
He subsequently directed regional executives, council chairpersons, secretaries and members of Kristo Asafo Mission across the country to disregard any funeral date currently being circulated until the legal matters surrounding the late Apostle’s estate and burial arrangements are resolved.
The development has thrown the funeral plans of one of Ghana’s most celebrated inventors, industrialists and religious leaders into uncertainty, with the final burial arrangements now expected to depend on the outcome of the court proceedings.
Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I, however, assured members of Kristo Asafo Mission and the Ghanaian public that every lawful effort would continue to be made to ensure that Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo receives a befitting burial in accordance with his wishes, family customs and the laws of Ghana.
He also urged Ghanaians not to allow the dispute to overshadow the remarkable legacy of Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo, whose life he described as one dedicated to faith, innovation, industrialisation, national development and service to humanity.
