Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, the son of the late Apostle Professor Emeritus Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, has appealed to Ghanaians for forgiveness amid the continuing controversy surrounding his late father’s funeral and family affairs.
In a message shared on Monday, August 10, 2026, Nana Akofena expressed regret over the public nature of the disagreements and said he would not blame anyone for the situation.
“Our father, Kantanka, does not deserve all this. I won’t blame anyone because we are all at fault. I sincerely ask all Ghanaians for forgiveness,” he said.
A call for forgiveness amid family tensions
The appeal comes after weeks of intense public disagreement within the family of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo, whose death has been followed by disputes over his funeral arrangements, the interpretation of his wishes and questions surrounding succession within the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Nana Akofena had previously said that efforts to reach consensus within the family had failed and that he had instructed his lawyers to seek court intervention over the burial and final funeral rites. The Ghana News Agency reported that he said the decision followed unsuccessful attempts to unite the family and ensure that the late Apostle’s wishes were respected.
The family dispute has attracted considerable public attention because of the national reputation of the late Apostle, who was widely known as an inventor, industrialist, religious leader and advocate of Ghanaian innovation.
“Our father does not deserve all this”
Nana Akofena’s latest message represents a noticeably conciliatory tone compared with some of the exchanges that have characterised the dispute.
Rather than assigning blame, he acknowledged collective responsibility and appealed directly to Ghanaians for forgiveness. His message also appears to place the legacy of his late father above the disagreements surrounding the funeral.
The appeal follows earlier calls for calm from Nana Akofena. In July, he urged members of the Kantanka Family, the Kristo Asafo Mission and the wider public to avoid circulating information that could deepen divisions. He said it was the collective responsibility of the family and the public not to allow their differences to overshadow Apostle Kwadwo Safo’s legacy of faith, innovation, industrialisation and service to humanity.
Funeral controversy
The controversy surrounding the late Apostle’s funeral has involved competing positions from members of the family.
On July 23, the Kantanka Family alleged that former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo had demanded GH₵3.7 million in connection with preparations for the funeral and said previously announced funeral dates should be disregarded. Those claims were made in a statement issued by the family and were not independently established at the time.
Adwoa Safo subsequently rejected the allegation, describing it as false and accusing her brother of attempting to damage her reputation. She also maintained that she had responsibilities connected to their father’s funeral arrangements.
The competing positions have therefore kept the funeral dispute in the public spotlight, with legal and family processes becoming part of the effort to resolve the disagreement.
Protecting Kantanka’s legacy
For many Ghanaians, the controversy has been particularly painful because of the stature of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka. He was associated with the development of locally manufactured vehicles, technological innovation, industrialisation and the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Nana Akofena’s latest appeal appears to shift the focus back toward that legacy, asking the public to look beyond the disagreements and remember the contribution of his father.
His request for forgiveness also comes at a moment when the family dispute has generated significant public commentary, competing accounts and legal proceedings. The appeal could therefore open another opportunity for dialogue among the parties involved.
A message to Ghanaians
By saying that “we are all at fault,” Nana Akofena has avoided placing sole responsibility on any individual and instead called for collective reflection.
His message is likely to resonate with Ghanaians who have followed the controversy and have repeatedly expressed concern that disagreements within the family could overshadow the legacy of the late Apostle.
Whether the latest appeal will lead to a lasting resolution remains to be seen, but Nana Akofena’s message has placed forgiveness and reconciliation at the centre of the conversation once again.
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