My father foresaw the family battle – Adwoa Safo

Former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo has disclosed that her late father, Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, predicted the family divisions, disputes and legal battles that would follow his death. According to Ms Safo, the founder of Kristo Asafo Mission and the Kantanka Group repeatedly warned members of the family about difficult times ahead while he was on his sickbed, although they initially did not attach much significance to his warnings.

She said the developments that unfolded after his death eventually convinced the family that his predictions had been accurate. “My father said it before dying. Everything that happened, it followed in sequence. None of the prophecies didn’t even fail,” Ms Safo said. She recalled that her father personally warned her that she would face a major battle but would ultimately overcome it. “Awo, there is a big battle ahead of you. I know you will be able to fight and win,” she quoted him as saying.

Ms Safo said Apostle Safo also foresaw divisions within the church, including a situation in which members would take opposing sides. She explained that the significance of those warnings became clearer after his death, when disagreements within the family escalated into disputes over the funeral arrangements and other matters. Ms Safo said her father’s counsel and guidance had helped her navigate the difficulties that emerged after his passing.

She attributed part of the disagreement surrounding her father’s funeral to differences in understanding of Akan customary practices, particularly the role of the matrilineal family in the burial of a deceased person. Ms Safo explained that, under the tradition she was relying on, her father’s burial arrangements fell within the responsibility of his matrilineal family. “I had to consistently tell people it is the matrilineal family that is in charge of the burial, even though people were telling me I am the child and supposed to bury my father,” she said.

The issue became particularly contentious as disagreements developed between Ms Safo and her brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I, who subsequently assumed leadership of the church. The dispute has involved allegations of serious confrontation, a shooting incident, court proceedings and injunctions as tensions within the family intensified following Apostle Safo’s death. Despite an injunction sought by her brother, Ms Safo proceeded with arrangements for their father’s funeral.

She made the disclosure when she and members of her family visited New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at his residence to express appreciation for attending the thanksgiving service held in honour of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka. Her account has brought renewed attention to the difficult family circumstances that followed the death of one of Ghana’s prominent industrialists and religious leaders, with customary authority, family succession and church leadership becoming intertwined in the ensuing dispute.

By: Joyce Owusu