The family of the late Apostle Professor 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 established by the founder before his death remain valid and binding.
In a statement issued on 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 serve as the principal representative of the family’s interests.
The statement comes amid an escalating leadership dispute within 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 positively to treatment after sustaining injuries during a shooting incident at the residence of her younger brother, Israel Safo, on June 21.
According to the family, Apostle Kwadwo Safo designated Israel Safo as his successor in 2017 and entrusted him with the leadership of the church and oversight of its affiliated businesses. However, the family alleged that several enterprises within the Kristo Asafo conglomerate declined significantly during his tenure, with some collapsing or facing serious operational difficulties.
The statement further claimed that certain foundational principles of the church were altered during the period and that Israel Safo increasingly exercised authority without regard for the founder’s directives.
As a result, the family said Apostle Kwadwo Safo revoked the mandate granted to Israel Safo in 2024 and removed the provisions that conferred leadership authority on him from the church’s governing framework.
Subsequently, the late founder appointed Sarah Adwoa Safo as Head of the Family and established a revised succession roadmap for the future leadership of the mission. The family stated that the amended framework expressly excluded Israel Safo from consideration for the leadership position.
According to the statement, Israel Safo, together with some church elders, later attempted to organise a private installation ceremony to declare himself leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission, contrary to the succession directives left by the founder.
The family disclosed that two church members, Kweku Agyenim Boateng and Seth Appiah Richard Brown, filed a suit at the Accra High Court seeking to prevent the ceremony. The plaintiffs argued that amendments made to the church’s constitution in 2024 had removed Israel Safo from the line of succession.
The statement noted that several attempts to serve court documents on Israel Safo were unsuccessful.
It alleged that on June 21, Adwoa Safo personally attempted to serve the court processes on her brother when a confrontation occurred. The family claimed that Israel Safo discharged a firearm in her direction and instructed others at the scene to shoot at her vehicle.
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that Adwoa Safo reported the incident to the Kwabenya Police Station and presented a vehicle bearing registration number GN 3482-24 with visible gunshot damage.
Police indicated that the former MP sustained injuries to her left ear and right hand and is receiving medical treatment. The vehicle has been retained for forensic examination.
Investigators subsequently arrested six suspects and retrieved five pump-action guns and one sidearm. The suspects have been handed over to the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department for further investigations.
The family stated that it does not recognise any installation or assumption of leadership by Israel Safo that is inconsistent with the directives left by 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 said.
“Any person who chooses to engage in such dealings does so at his or her own risk.”
The family added that it reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies to protect the legacy, assets and wishes of the late founder while urging members of the Kristo Asafo Mission and the general public to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course.
