The legal representative of the late Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka, has provided further clarification on the contents of the deceased’s will, stating that it does not expressly appoint Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena as the successor to his father’s entire empire.

Speaking on the matter  on Utv, the lawyer explained that the will specifically entrusted Akofena with the custody and control of the late Apostle’s body, adding that this responsibility was not assigned to any other individual.

According to Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka, the will also authorises Akofena to take charge of the funeral arrangements and burial of the late founder. He stressed that the instructions in the will clearly place responsibility for the body, burial and funeral in Akofena’s hands.

Addressing questions about a funeral date announced by some members of the family, Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka said a decision had been reached to maintain the scheduled date after consultations with church leadership.

He explained that although discussions were held, the family resolved to keep the previously announced funeral date in the interest of peace and unity.

“They have made up their minds to maintain the date for the funeral after meeting the church leadership, and for the sake of peace, we have decided to maintain the date,” he stated.

The lawyer further clarified that while the will gave Akofena responsibility over the late Apostle’s body and funeral arrangements, it did not specifically state that he should inherit or take over the entire Kristo Asafo empire.

He noted that the role assigned to Akofena in the will relates to the care of the body and funeral matters, while the position of family head is separate from ownership or control of the deceased’s wider empire.

Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka also disclosed that the late Apostle bequeathed all his personal clothing, footwear and other apparel to Akofena. However, he emphasised that the deceased’s empire was not included among the assets specifically willed to him.

The clarification comes amid ongoing public interest and differing interpretations surrounding the contents of the late Apostle’s will and the succession arrangements following his passing.

South Africa has dismissed reports claiming it formally requested a state visit to Ghana for President Cyril Ramaphosa, clarifying that recent communication between the two countries was solely to confirm arrangements for the next session of the South Africa-Ghana Bi-National Commission (BNC).

President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, explained that Pretoria’s correspondence with Ghana was intended to confirm Ghana’s hosting of the upcoming BNC meeting, which is expected to be jointly chaired by Presidents Ramaphosa and John Dramani Mahama.

“The request was to confirm the seating of the BNC, which was to be co-chaired by both Presidents and had already been agreed upon after the last BNC meeting. There was no request for a state visit,” Magwenya told the Business and Financial Times (B&FT).

His remarks come after reports in Ghana suggested that the government had declined a request by South Africa for President Ramaphosa to undertake a state visit, allegedly due to heightened tensions following recent anti-immigration protests and attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa.

However, South Africa maintained that the communication formed part of the routine diplomatic process ahead of the Bi-National Commission meeting, which serves as the main framework for strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The second session of the commission was held in South Africa in March 2024, with Ghana scheduled to host the next meeting.

Magwenya reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with Ghana, noting that cooperation between the two countries spans political, economic, defence, security, and social sectors.

He added that deepening collaboration between Ghana and South Africa remains important not only for their national interests but also for advancing Africa’s broader development agenda.

source:MODERN GHANA

Lawyer for the Kristo Asafo Mission, Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka, has clarified that the late Kwadwo Safo Kantanka’s will does not specifically name Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena as the next leader of the church.

Speaking in an interview on UTV Ghana on July 7, 2026, the lawyer explained that although the will identifies Akofena as the head of the Kantanka family, it does not automatically make him the head of the church.

According to Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka, the late founder intentionally separated family responsibilities from church leadership.

“The will doesn’t appoint him specifically as the leader of the church. The will states that Akofena is the head of the Kantanka family. The father chose him as the head so that his siblings would see him as the father and give him the maximum respect. Specifically, their father didn’t mention his name as the next leader of the church,” he explained.

The lawyer also responded to comments made by fashion entrepreneur Osebo the Zaraman regarding the interpretation of the will, stating that interpreting legal documents should be left to trained legal professionals.

He declined to directly challenge Osebo’s comments, saying:

“I don’t want to make any comment on what Osebo said about the will. I would have responded if a lawyer’s interpretation were different from mine. The interpretation of the will were simple, we wouldn’t have pursued it as a course in law school. It’s only lawyers who can interpret a will. Someone like Osebo can never interpret a will, and this particular will is technical.”

Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka further stated that if the late founder wanted Akofena to become the next leader of the church, he would have clearly stated it in the document.

“In the father’s own wisdom, he knows he has a family and a church. If he wanted to appoint Akofena as the next
leader of the church, he would have specifically mentioned his name,” he said.

He explained that the responsibility of selecting the church’s leader was left to the Council of Elders, which followed the required process and selected one of its members.

“He has left that responsibility for the Council of Elders to perform the role of appointing the leader. The Council of Elders also went through the necessary process to choose one of its members. Akofena is one of the three children that can be chosen,” he added.

The lawyer noted that throughout the will, the late founder referred to Akofena as “my son, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena,” indicating that he was among the three eligible children who could be considered for the church’s leadership rather than being the automatic successor.

“Whenever the father was stating him as part of the three children in the will, he says, ‘My son, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena,’ so meaning he is part of the three sons that can be chosen,” he stated.

The clarification comes amid public discussions surrounding the succession of the Kristo Asafo Mission following the passing of its founder.