Legal and Familial Crisis Engulfs Kantanka Empire as Sarah Adwoa Safo and Brother Clash Over Apostle’s Burial and Legacy

The death of Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka has triggered a high-stakes legal and familial battle between former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo and her brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I. While Adwoa Safo insists the funeral will proceed on July 30, Akofena, the current Head of the Kantanka Family and leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, has initiated legal proceedings to halt the process. He claims the proposed arrangements violate the Apostle's last will and lacks the necessary family consensus. This rift has split the Kantanka family and left the Kristo Asafo Mission in a state of uncertainty, characterized by conflicting public announcements and increasing tension between the siblings.

Adwoa Safo asserts that the burial dates were finalized following high-level consultations with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, former President John Kufuor, and current government officials. Her proposed itinerary includes a burial service at Gomoa Mpota on July 30, followed by a state-style funeral at Independence Square on July 31 and a thanksgiving service in Asante Mampong. However, Nana Akofena has declared these dates null and void, urging the public to disregard them. He alleges that Adwoa Safo is unlawfully withholding their father's remains and has engaged legal counsel to ensure the burial aligns with the traditional protocols and the directives outlined in the Apostle's will.

Beneath the funeral dispute lies a bitter struggle for the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission. Adwoa Safo recently shared details of a near-fatal shooting incident in June 2025 at her brother's residence in Kwabenya, where she was allegedly attacked while attempting to persuade him against a unilateral installation as the mission's leader. The confrontation left her with severe facial and neck injuries requiring multiple surgeries. While Akofena claims he sought mediation from former presidents to reconcile the family, Adwoa Safo has dismissed these efforts as a facade, alleging that his true motive was to lobby political figures for support in his bid for church leadership.

The conflict has now escalated to the Adenta Circuit Court, where nine individuals, including Nana Akofena, face charges related to the shooting incident and the possession of illegal firearms. As the July 30 date approaches, the Kristo Asafo Mission has yet to officially recognize the funeral plans, leaving thousands of congregants and stakeholders in limbo. The resolution of this legal standoff will likely determine not only the final resting place of the renowned industrialist and religious leader but also the future governance of the extensive religious and commercial empire he built over several decades.