The succession of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka has taken a significant turn following the reading of his will at the Accra High Court on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Reports from the court proceedings indicate that Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena, popularly known as Akofena, was named as the successor to the Kantanka Empire established by the late industrialist and founder of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
The development is expected to bring some clarity to a succession dispute that had generated considerable attention within the Kantanka family and the Kristo Asafo Mission following the death of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.
According to reports, the contents of the will indicated that the late founder had made provisions concerning his estate and its administration. Following the reading, Kristo Asafo Mission member and fashion entrepreneur Richard Brown, popularly known as Osebo the Zaraman, said he would respect the wishes of the late Apostle.
Osebo reportedly stated that if the will had directed that the late Apostle’s properties should go to Akofena, there was no reason for him or other family members to oppose the decision. He also expressed his willingness to support Akofena and the family in the interest of peace.
The latest development follows months of disagreement surrounding who should assume responsibility for the affairs associated with the Kantanka legacy after the founder’s death.
Former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo, who is a daughter of the late Apostle, had previously maintained that her father left behind a valid will. She had also rejected suggestions that the disagreement was primarily about inheritance or control of the founder’s properties.
However, questions remain about the distinction between succession to the Kantanka family or business interests and leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
A lawyer for the mission, Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka, later clarified that the will’s reference to Akofena concerned his position as head of the Kantanka family and did not necessarily make him the leader of the church. He explained that leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission is a separate matter that must be determined according to the church’s governing arrangements.
Private legal practitioner Kwame Akufo also argued that the will, by itself, did not confer leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission on any individual. He noted that the document was prepared before subsequent amendments to the church’s constitution and that those changes must be considered when determining church leadership.
The distinction is important because legal proceedings had previously been initiated by members of the Kristo Asafo Mission over the succession process. The plaintiffs had sought clarification on the constitutional rules governing the appointment of a leader and challenged the recognition of Akofena as head of the church.
The reading of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka’s will therefore marks an important development in the broader succession debate, although questions surrounding the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission may continue to attract legal and public attention.
For now, the focus is expected to shift toward the implementation of the late founder’s wishes and the administration of his estate, while the family and members of the mission work through the remaining issues surrounding his legacy.
Source: Thepressradio.com
