The head of the Kantanka Family and leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana (KAMOG), Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I, has announced that the family has initiated legal action to enforce the Last Will and Testament of the late Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo.
Addressing the media on Monday, Nana Akofena stated that the decision to pursue legal avenues was made after months of failed reconciliation attempts regarding the burial and final funeral rites of the celebrated inventor, church leader, and industrialist.
Mediation Collapses Despite "Good Faith" Efforts
According to Nana Akofena, extensive efforts were made alongside members of the Aduana Kotoko Royal Family to unite all relatives for a dignified burial.
He disclosed that he had personally engaged in peace talks with his siblings—including his sister, former Member of Parliament Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo—and had sought the intervention of traditional chiefs, queen mothers, and church elders.
"Unfortunately, despite these numerous interventions and goodwill efforts, the desired reconciliation has not been achieved," Nana Akofena said, expressing deep disappointment over the breakdown given his father's lifelong commitment to unity.
Dispute Over Custody of Remains and the Will
At the center of the deadlock are serious concerns surrounding the execution of the late Apostle’s Will, which was read by Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo.
Nana Akofena alleged that the implementation of the Will has strayed from the late patriarch’s explicit directions, particularly regarding who holds custody of his body.
Withheld Remains: The family head emphasized that the Kantanka Family has not been given custody of Apostle Safo’s mortal remains, contrary to the terms set out in the Will.
Unfulfilled Wishes: He noted that additional unfulfilled instructions within the document have further complicated efforts to reach an agreement on the funeral arrangements.
Legal Action of "Last Resort"
Faced with an ongoing impasse, the family has engaged the law firm Kwame Gyan & Associates, led by Prof. Kwame Gyan, to seek judicial intervention.
Nana Akofena stressed that court action was taken with "great reluctance" and only after every avenue for an amicable, private resolution had been exhausted. He expressed firm confidence that the court system will ensure justice is served and that his late father's final wishes are respected.
PRESS STATEMENT BY NANA KWADWO SAFO AKOFENA I, HEAD OF THE KANTANKA FAMILY AND LEADER OF KRISTO ASAFO MISSION OF GHANA (KAMOG)
ON THE BURIAL AND FINAL FUNERAL RITES OF THE LATE APOSTLE PROF. EMERITUS KWADWO SAFO
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,
Good afternoon.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to all members of the media for honouring this invitation at such short notice. I recognise that this press conference was convened with very little advance notice. However, the circumstances surrounding recent developments have made it necessary for me to address the nation without delay, and I am grateful for your presence.
I have convened this press conference today in my dual capacity as the Head of the KantankaFamily and the Leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana (KAMOG) to provide clarity on matters concerning the burial and final funeral rites of our beloved father, Apostle Prof.Emeritus Kwadwo Safo.
Recent developments have generated uncertainty, speculation and misinformation in the public domain. It has therefore become my duty and responsibility to address these matters openly and truthfully.
1. Why I Am Addressing the Nation
It pains me deeply to discuss matters relating to my family and the Church in the public domain. Traditionally, such matters ought to be resolved privately through dialogue, mutual respect and established family and customary processes. However, circumstances beyond my control have compelled me to speak publicly in order to protect the truth, preserve the dignity of our late father, and provide clarity to the many people who continue to seek guidance on these matters.
2. Efforts Made to Achieve Family Unity
Since the passing of our beloved father, I, together with members of the Aduana KotokoRoyal Family, have made every reasonable effort to bring all members of the family together in unity so that we could accord him a dignified and befitting burial. Regrettably, despite these sincere efforts, we have not been able to achieve the level of unity and consensus necessary to proceed in the manner we had hoped.
3. Personal Reconciliation Initiatives
On my part, I have personally undertaken several initiatives to promote reconciliation and foster unity among my siblings, including my sister, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, with the sole objective of ensuring that our father's final journey would be marked by peace, harmony and mutual respect.
In pursuit of this objective, I reached out not only to members of the immediate family but also sought the intervention and counsel of respected Church elders, family heads, chiefs, queen mothers, and other eminent traditional leaders. These efforts were undertaken in good faith and with a genuine commitment to preserving family unity and safeguarding the legacy of our late father.
4. Outcome of the Reconciliation Efforts
Unfortunately, despite these numerous interventions and goodwill efforts, the desired reconciliation has not been achieved. This has been deeply disappointing, particularly in view of the values of unity, humility and reconciliation that our late father exemplified throughout his life.
5. The Last Will and Testament
Following the reading of our late father's Last Will and Testament, which was led by Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, I had expected that the wishes and directives clearly expressed by our late father would be faithfully implemented.
Regrettably, in my view, the implementation of those wishes has not proceeded in the manner contemplated by the Will. In particular, the Kantanka Family has not been given custody of the mortal remains of our late father, notwithstanding the provisions of the Will. This, together with other matters in which, in my view, the wishes expressed by our late father have not been honoured, has further complicated efforts to achieve unity and consensus regarding his burial and final funeral rites.
6. Legal Action
Consequently, my family and I have instructed our solicitors, Kwame Gyan & Associates, led by the eminent Prof. Kwame Gyan, Esq., to commence the necessary legal proceedings to seek appropriate relief from the courts and to ensure that the wishes expressed in our late father's Last Will and Testament are given full legal effect.
This decision has been taken with great reluctance and only after exhausting every reasonable avenue for an amicable resolution.
7. Appeal to Members of Kristo Asafo Mission and the Public
I therefore urge all members of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, members of the KantankaFamily, our sympathisers, and all other relevant stakeholders to remain calm, exercise restraint, and continue to uphold the values of peace, unity and respect that our late father cherished throughout his lifetime.
I respectfully appeal to everyone to refrain from taking any unilateral action or circulating unverified information that may undermine the ongoing legal process or further deepen the divisions within the Family. I have every confidence that the courts will ensure that justice is served and that the wishes expressed by our late father are duly respected.
8. Preserving Our Father's Legacy
It is our collective responsibility not to allow our differences to overshadow the extraordinary legacy of a man whose life was dedicated to faith, innovation, industrialisation, national development and service to humanity.
It is my earnest hope that wisdom, understanding and a shared commitment to honouring our father's memory will ultimately prevail.
9. Assurance and Closing Remarks
I wish to assure all members of Kristo Asafo Mission, the Kantanka Family, our sympathisers and the good people of Ghana that every lawful and appropriate effort will continue to be made to ensure that Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo is accorded a befitting burial in accordance with his wishes, the customs of the Family, and all applicable customary and legal requirements.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all Ghanaians, friends of Kristo Asafo Mission, and members of the media for your continued patience, understanding and support during this difficult period. I ask for your prayers as we seek a peaceful, lawful and honourable resolution that will preserve the dignity and legacy of our beloved father.
May God bless you all.
Thank you.
NANA KWADWO SAFO AKOFENA
Head of the Kantanka Family
Leader, Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana (KAMOG)
