Kwadwo Safo Junior reacts to Kwabenya shooting incident

Kwadwo Safo Junior, son of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, has expressed profound sorrow over a shooting incident at the family’s Kwabenya residence, stating his father would be “gutted and very disappointed” by the violence amid the family’s succession dispute.

Speaking at a press conference on June 25 organised by supporters of his sister, former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo, Safo Junior appealed for unity within the Kristo Asafo family, warning that ongoing divisions could tarnish their father’s legacy and deter investor support for the Kantanka group.

“The late Apostle would be deeply saddened and extremely disappointed,” Safo Junior said. “If we remain divided, it is our father’s name and legacy that we are tarnishing. After laying him to rest, seeking investor support may prove difficult as they may be reluctant to assist us.”

The incident occurred days earlier when armed security personnel allegedly opened fire during a confrontation over access to the premises, injuring Sarah Adwoa Safo. Safo Junior explained he had been scheduled to accompany his sister but was prevented by a sudden stomach upset, which he believes may have spared him from harm.

Recounting the events, he said the visit aimed to request a delay in a planned ceremony until all siblings could attend, in accordance with their father’s wishes regarding succession. “We all agreed that whatever decision our father made regarding his successor, we would stand by it. Whoever he chose, we would be the ones to enstool that person, gather around them, and take a photograph together.”

His sister had instructed him to mobilise other siblings to jointly ask organisers to postpone the ceremony, noting they had about 40 days until their father’s funeral rites. Reflecting on how narrowly he avoided the violence, Safo Junior became emotional: “If I had been there… I would have sat at the back with Adwoa while he drove us there. So it was either the gunshot would have touched me, and the Honourable, or the Honourable would have died in my arms.”

Moments before departing, he developed a sudden stomach upset and returned home. “When I was about to get on the pickup and meet her so that we could go together, all of a sudden, I had a stomach upset, so I had to go back,” he said.

Police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and urged parties to refrain from speculation while authorities establish the full circumstances.

The shooting has intensified a public feud within the Kantanka family over control of the conglomerate founded by the late Apostle, which spans automotive manufacturing, engineering, and real estate. Sarah Adwoa Safo, who sustained injuries to her head, has been a prominent figure in the dispute, having previously served as Minister for Public Enterprises and as MP for Dome-Kwabenya.

The incident has drawn widespread concern about the potential for escalating violence in family-run businesses and the importance of peaceful succession planning in preserving entrepreneurial legacies.

The Kantanka group, founded by the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, has been a source of national pride for its efforts in promoting local manufacturing and technological innovation in Ghana. From the production of African-made vehicles to investments in renewable energy and agricultural technology, the conglomerate has sought to reduce Ghana’s reliance on imports and foster homegrown industrial capacity.

The 40-day funeral rites, a significant tradition in Akan culture, represent a period of mourning and remembrance, during which families come together to honour the deceased and seek spiritual closure. For the Kristo Asafo family, founded by the late Apostle as a religious movement, these rites hold particular importance as they combine cultural practices with spiritual observances.

As the family navigates this difficult period, the hope remains that they can resolve their differences through dialogue and reconciliation, ensuring that the Kantanka legacy continues to contribute to Ghana’s economic development and technological advancement.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE