The family of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo has asked the public to ignore the purported or assumption of the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Church by Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena.
According to the family it does not recognise any such installation since it was inconsistent with the directives of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo and the constitution of the church as amended in 2024.
In a press statement dated June 22, 2026, signed by Sarah Adwoa Safo as head of the Apostle Kwadwo Safo family, it was explained that the late Apostle had initially in 2017 designated his son, Israel Nana Kwadwo Safo, also known as Akofena, as his successor.
But, during his [Akofena] tenure, the family observed a significant decline in the fortunes of several businesses within the Kristo Asafo conglomerate, "leading to the collapse or near collapse of a number of enterprises."
It said, additionally, several foundational principles of the church were altered, and Mr Israel Safo increasingly exercised authority without due regard for the Founder.
Consequently, in 2024, the late Apostle revoked the mandate previously granted to Mr Israel Safo and removed the relevant provisions from the church's governing framework.
He then appointed his daughter, Sarah Adwoa Safo, as Head of the Family and established a succession roadmap that explicitly excluded Mr Israel Safo from consideration for the leadership position.
Following the passing of Apostle Kwadwo Safo on September 11, 2025, it said that Adwoa Safo has continued to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to her by their late father, with the support of her siblings.
The family expressed deep regret over the shooting incident and assured members of the Kristo Asafo Mission, relatives, and the general public that Adwoa Safo was currently in a stable condition and responding positively to medical treatment.
The family further stated that, with the exception of Mr Israel Safo, all the children of the late Apostle remain united and committed to ensuring a dignified burial for their father.
The statement detailed the events leading to the shooting and alleged that Mr Israel Safo, in collaboration with certain elders of the church, sought to organise a private installation ceremony aimed at declaring himself leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission, contrary to the wishes and succession directives of the late Founder.
Two members of the church initiated legal proceedings and secured a court application to restrain the ceremony.
It said several attempts to serve court processes on Mr Israel Safo proved unsuccessful, hence on the morning of June 21, 2026, Adwoa Safo personally undertook efforts to serve the court documents on her younger brother.
During the encounter, the family alleged that Mr Israel Safo discharged a firearm multiple times in her direction and also instructed associates at the scene to open fire on her vehicle.
The matter has since been reported to law enforcement authorities for investigation.
The family categorically stated that it does not recognise any purported installation or assumption of leadership by Mr Israel Safo that is inconsistent with the directives of the late Apostle.
The family dissociates itself from any claim by Mr Israel Safo that he is acting on behalf of the family, and advised the public to exercise caution in any dealings with him that purport to represent the interests, assets, or affairs of the Kristo Asafo Mission or the Kwadwo Safo Family.
The family noted that a number of matters involving Mr Israel Safo are currently the subject of concern and scrutiny, and reserved its right to pursue all available legal remedies to protect the legacy, assets, and wishes of the late Apostle.
They called on all members of the Kristo Asafo Mission and the general public to remain calm, respect the rule of law, and allow the appropriate state institutions to address the matters before them.
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Attached below is a copy of the full statement
22/06/26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ADWOA SAFO RESPONDING : POSITIVELY TO MEDICAL TREATMENT
The family of the late Apostle Emeritus Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Safo wishes to express its deep regret over the unfortunate shooting incident involving Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, the duly recognized Head of the Kwadwo Safo Family.
The family wishes to assure members of the Kristo Asafo Mission, relatives, friends, sympathizers, and the general public that Hon. Adwoa Safo is currently in a stable condition and responding positively to medical treatment.
The family further wishes to assure all Ghanaians and stakeholders that, with the exception of Mr. Israel Nana Kwadwo Safo (Akofena), all the children of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo remain united and committed to ensuring a dignified and befitting burial for their late father.
Clarification on the Succession of Apostle Kwadwo Safo
The family has observed with concern the circulation of conflicting narratives regarding the succession arrangements of the late Founder and Leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
In addition to the update above, this statement also seeks to set the records straight on the succession arrangements as outlined by Prof. Emeritus Apostle Kwadwo Safo prior to his demise.
In 2017, Apostle Emeritus Kwadwo Safo designated his son, Mr. Israel Nana Kwadwo Safo, also known as Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, as his successor and entrusted him with the leadership of the church and oversight responsibility for the various business entities established by the Founder.
However, during his tenure, the family observed a significant decline in the fortunes of several businesses within the Kristo Asafo conglomerate, leading to the collapse or near collapse of a number of those enterprises.
Furthermore, several foundational principles of the church were altered during this period, while Mr. Israel Safo increasingly exercised authority without due regard for the Founder and Leader of the Mission.
These developments caused considerable concern to Apostle Kwadwo Safo.
Consequently, in 2024, he took steps to revoke the mandate previously granted to Mr. Israel Safo.
The relevant provisions conferring that authority were subsequently removed from the church's governing framework.
Thereafter, Apostle Kwadwo Safo appointed his daughter, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, as Head of the Family and established a succession roadmap for the future leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Accordingly, the succession framework was amended and explicitly excluded Mr. Israel Safo from consideration for the leadership position.
Following the passing of Apostle Kwadwo Safo on September 11, 2025, Hon. Adwoa Safo, with the support of her siblings, has continued to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to her by their late father and has served as the principal representative of the family.
Events Leading to the Shooting Incident Mr. Israel Kwadwo Safo, in collaboration with certain elders of the church, sought to organize a private installation ceremony aimed at declaring himself the leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission, contrary to the wishes and succession directives of the late Founder.
Upon becoming aware of these developments, two members of the church initiated legal proceedings and secured an application before the court seeking to restrain the purported installation ceremony.
Accordingly, several attempts were made to serve the relevant court processes on Mr. Israel Safo, but these efforts proved unsuccessful.
On the morning of June 21, 2026, Hon. Adwoa Safo personally undertook efforts to serve the court documents on her younger brother.
During the encounter, Mr. Israel Safo discharged a firearm multiple times in her direction and also instructed associates at the scene to open fire on her vehicle.
The matter has since been reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for investigation.
Family's Position
The family wishes to categorically state that it does not recognize any purported installation or assumption of leadership by Mr. Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena that is inconsistent with the directives of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo.
Accordingly, the family dissociates itself from any claim by Mr. Israel Safo that he is acting on behalf of the Kwadwo Safo Family or with the authority of the family.
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.
Any person who chooses to engage in such dealings does so at his or her own risk. The family further notes that a number of matters involving Mr. Israel Safo are currently the subject of concern and scrutiny and reserves its right to pursue all available legal remedies to protect the legacy, assets, and wishes of the late Apostle Emeritus Prof. Ing. Kwadwo Safo.
The family calls on all members of the Kristo Asafo Mission, well-wishers, and the general public to remain calm, respect the rule of law, and allow the appropriate institutions of the state to address the matters currently before them.
