Two Kristo Asafo members drag church to court over succession dispute

Two members of the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana have filed a suit at the Accra High Court seeking to enforce the constitutional framework governing the succession to the leadership of the church following the death of its founder, Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.

The plaintiffs, Kweku Agyenim Boateng of Agogo in Kumasi and Seth Appiah Richard Brown, have sued the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana and four others, including Israel Kwadwo Safo (also known as Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena), Festus Owusu Badu, Dr Kwadwo Addo Oduro, and Robert Ntiful.

In a writ filed on June 18, 2026, at the General Jurisdiction Registry of the High Court in Accra, the plaintiffs are seeking several declarations and orders on the interpretation of the church’s governing constitution.

They are asking the court to declare that the 2017 Constitution of the Kristo Asafo Mission and its amended 2024 version remain the supreme laws regulating the affairs of the church.

They are also seeking a declaration that succession to the office of leader of the church must be conducted strictly in accordance with the provisions of both constitutions.

Additionally, the plaintiffs are asking the court to interpret the relevant constitutional provisions and declare that the 2nd defendant, Israel Kwadwo Safo also known as Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, is not qualified to be appointed, installed, presented or recognised as leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana.

They are further seeking an order restraining him from holding himself out, or allowing himself to be held out, as the head or leader of the church.

The legal action comes in the aftermath of the death of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka on September 11, 2025, a development that has triggered succession discussions within the church.

Funeral arrangements for the late industrialist and religious leader have already been announced, with the burial scheduled for July 30, 2026, at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region. A national funeral service is expected to follow on July 31 at the Independence Square in Accra.