A simmering succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission has erupted into open conflict, with former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo formally petitioning the church’s Council of Elders to disqualify her brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, from succeeding their late father, Apostle Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.
The petition, filed through her lawyer Kwame Boafo Akuffo, raises profound questions about the intersection of family dynamics, constitutional governance, and leadership succession within one of Ghana’s most prominent independent churches.
At the heart of the dispute is a constitutional amendment passed in 2024, which Adwoa Safo’s lawyers argue explicitly revoked the earlier designation of Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena as the founder’s chosen successor.
The petition contends that the amendment “cancelled his appointment as next leader and removed any special designation or exemption that previously placed him in line for leadership.”
The legal argument is precise: Article 12(2)(a) of the church’s constitution, which originally allowed the founder to appoint a successor and had named Akofena, has been repealed by the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana (Amendment), 2024. According to the petition, this effectively disqualifies Akofena from consideration in the current succession process.
Adwoa Safo, who served as Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya and Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, is positioning herself as a guardian of constitutional order within the church.
Her petition invokes Article 26 of the church’s constitution, which emphasises the need for a “peaceful, non-political and controversy-free process” in selecting a new leader.
The letter warns that succession discussions must not be influenced by “factional interests, political interference or influence peddling” a notable caution given Adwoa Safo’s own political pedigree and the church’s historical connections to political figures.
The petition further warns that the Council of Elders must “strictly exclude individuals who have been removed from the line of succession under the amended constitution,” arguing that including excluded persons “would taint, contaminate and totally compromise the constitutional process.”
The Kristo Asafo Mission, founded by the late Apostle Kantanka, commands significant influence across Ghana, with a substantial membership and extensive institutional presence. The church’s leadership succession carries implications beyond the spiritual realm, touching on questions of property, patronage and political connections.
The late founder’s wishes regarding succession are invoked by both sides, with Adwoa Safo’s petition insisting that those intentions “must be upheld in line with constitutional provisions.” However, the 2024 amendment complicates any straightforward reading of the founder’s original designation.
The petition suggests that Adwoa Safo is prepared to pursue “further internal action” to enforce compliance if the Council of Elders fails to adhere to what she believes is the rightful constitutional position. This raises the prospect of protracted internal litigation within the church.
The Council of Elders, led by Acting Chairman Dr Kwadwo Addo Oduro, has yet to respond publicly to the petition. The church is now navigating a delicate balance between honouring the late founder’s legacy, respecting its amended constitution, and preserving unity among its membership.
The dispute echoes broader tensions within Ghanaian religious institutions over succession, where family connections, constitutional provisions and political influences often collide.