Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I Installed as Kristo Asafo Leader Amidst Gunfire Incident and Arrests

On June 21, 2026, the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana officially installed Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I as its new leader, succeeding his late father, Apostle Emeritus Kwadwo Safo Kantanka. The transition, intended to mark a new chapter for the mission, was shadowed by a violent confrontation at a residence in Kwabenya involving former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo. The incident resulted in gunfire, injuries, and the subsequent arrest of six private security guards by the Ghana Police Service, highlighting significant internal friction within the organization.

The installation of Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I was announced through the mission's official channels, featuring celebrations from church members who expressed hopes for divine guidance and the continuation of the founder's technological and spiritual legacy. However, the leadership transition appears to be legally contested, with reports indicating a court injunction was filed against the installation process. Despite these legal hurdles, the mission proceeded with the ceremony, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the vision established by Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.

The confrontation involving Sarah Adwoa Safo occurred when the former MP was reportedly denied entry to a ceremony at the residence of Mr. Tamakloe Safo Jehoshaphat. According to police reports, security personnel discharged firearms during the ensuing altercation. Adwoa Safo's vehicle sustained multiple gunshot marks, and she was hospitalized in stable condition after receiving injuries, with witnesses claiming a bullet grazed her neck. In the aftermath, the Ghana Police Service conducted a search of the scene, recovering five pump-action guns, a Taurus pistol, and communication equipment used by the detained guards.

In a conflicting account, the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission has refuted claims that Ms. Safo was shot, labeling such reports as false social media rumors. Church lawyer Nana Kofi Kantanka stated that the former MP forced her vehicle through the entrance gates, causing property damage and creating a safety risk for attendees. The church maintains that security intervention was a necessary response to the breach and has called for a full investigation, urging the public to rely on verified information rather than speculation regarding the motives of those involved.

This convergence of a major leadership milestone and high-profile violence underscores deep-seated succession disputes following the death of the mission's founder. While Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I begins his tenure, the ongoing police investigation and the unresolved legal challenges suggest a period of instability for the Kristo Asafo Mission. Authorities are continuing their efforts to identify all individuals involved in the shooting as the church and the public await further clarity on the health of the former MP and the ultimate resolution of the leadership conflict.