The family of the late Apostle Emeritus Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Safo has rejected any claim by his son, Israel Nana Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Akofena, to the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission, insisting that the succession arrangements put in place by the late founder remain valid and binding.
In a statement issued on Sunday, June 21, the family reaffirmed that former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, is the recognised Head of the Kwadwo Safo Family and continues to represent the family’s interests.
The statement comes amid an ongoing dispute over the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission following the death of Apostle Kwadwo Safo in September 2025.
The family also confirmed that Adwoa Safo is in stable condition and responding to treatment after a shooting incident at the residence of her younger brother, Israel Safo.
According to the family, Apostle Kwadwo Safo appointed Israel Safo as his successor in 2017 and entrusted him with the leadership of the church and oversight responsibility for several businesses within the Kristo Asafo group.
However, the family claimed that a number of businesses within the conglomerate experienced significant decline during his tenure, with some collapsing or nearing collapse. It further alleged that some of the church’s foundational principles were altered while Israel Safo increasingly exercised authority without due regard for the founder.
The statement said Apostle Kwadwo Safo subsequently revoked the mandate granted to Israel Safo in 2024 and removed the provisions that had conferred that authority on him.
The family stated that the late founder later appointed Sarah Adwoa Safo as Head of the Family and established a succession roadmap for the future leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission, which excluded Israel Safo from consideration.
According to the family, Israel Safo and some elders of the church later attempted to organise a private installation ceremony to declare him leader of the Mission despite the succession directives left by the late founder.
The statement indicated that two church members initiated legal action and secured a court application seeking to restrain the planned installation ceremony.
It explained that the plaintiffs argued that amendments made to the church’s constitution in 2024 effectively removed Israel Safo from the line of succession.
The family further alleged that on June 21, 2026, Sarah Adwoa Safo personally attempted to serve court documents on her brother after earlier attempts had proved unsuccessful.
During the encounter, the family claimed that Israel Safo discharged a firearm in her direction and instructed persons at the scene to open fire on her vehicle.
According to the family, the Ghana Police Service has since confirmed that Adwoa Safo reported the matter to the Kwabenya Police Station and presented a vehicle bearing visible gunshot damage.
Police investigations have led to the arrest of six suspects, while several firearms were reportedly retrieved from them.
The suspects have been handed over to the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters for further investigations.
The family said it does not recognise any installation or assumption of leadership by Israel Safo that is contrary to the wishes and directives of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo.
“The public is hereby advised to exercise caution in any dealings with Mr Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena that purport to represent the interests, assets, leadership, or affairs of the Kristo Asafo Mission or the Kwadwo Safo Family,” the statement cautioned.
The family further indicated that it reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies to protect the legacy, assets and wishes of the late founder.
It also called on members of the Kristo Asafo Mission, supporters and the general public to remain calm, respect the rule of law and allow the appropriate state institutions to deal with the matter.
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