Accra High Court grants 10-day injunction halting Kantanka funeral amid family estate dispute

An Accra High Court has issued a 10-day interim injunction restraining former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, from proceeding with the funeral and burial rites of her late father, Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, the renowned industrialist and founder of the Kristo Asafo Mission.

The order, granted on Tuesday, July 28, effectively halts the funeral arrangements that had been scheduled for July 30 and 31, 2026, pending further judicial deliberation.

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The Legal Motion and the Parties

The injunction was sought by the Kristo Asafo Mission, represented by its legal counsel, Nana Kofi Safo Kantanka—who is also a son of the deceased and a key figure within the church. The application argues that Adwoa Safo lacks the sole legal authority to organize the funeral and that the arrangements must be handled in accordance with the church’s protocols and the late Apostle’s documented final wishes.

According to court documents, the dispute centers on the interpretation of Apostle Kantanka’s estate and the division of responsibilities between his children and the church leadership. The Mission contends that the funeral should be a church-led event, while Adwoa Safo has insisted on a family-led ceremony that she claims aligns with her father’s oral instructions.

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A Family at Odds

The Safo family has been publicly divided since the passing of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka on July 15, 2026, at the age of 85. The patriarch, who founded the Kristo Asafo Mission in the 1970s and later launched the Kantanka automobile manufacturing company, was a towering figure in Ghanaian religious and industrial circles. His death triggered an immediate tussle over not only his funeral but also the management of his vast business and church assets.

Sarah Adwoa Safo, the eldest daughter, has emerged as the primary organizer of the funeral. However, her brother, Kwadwo Safo Akofena, and other siblings have publicly opposed her plans, citing concerns that she is sidelining the church and ignoring traditional rites. The Mission’s application to the court is seen as an attempt to bring the dispute under judicial oversight.

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Adwoa Safo’s Defiant Stance

In an interview with Eyewitness News on Tuesday, July 28, just hours before the court ruling, Adwoa Safo expressed confidence that the funeral would go ahead as planned. She urged her brother Kwadwo Safo Akofena “not to disrupt the planned funeral” and insisted that she had the blessings of the family elders.

“I have done everything according to my father’s wishes. The funeral will proceed on July 30 and 31, and I urge all Ghanaians to come and pay their respects,” she said.

However, the court’s injunction now overrides her plans, leaving the family in a state of legal limbo.

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Court Order Details

The injunction, signed by Justice [Name not disclosed], restrains Adwoa Safo, her agents, and assigns from:

· Organizing or facilitating any funeral or burial ceremony.
· Accessing or using any of the late Apostle’s properties or assets for the purpose of the funeral.
· Making any public announcements regarding the funeral without prior court approval.

The order is valid for 10 days, until August 8, 2026, during which the court will hear substantive arguments from both sides. The Mission is expected to file additional affidavits to support its claim that Adwoa Safo’s plans violate the late Kantanka’s explicit instructions, which allegedly designated the church as the lead executor of his final rites.

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Background: A Legacy Under Scrutiny

Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka was not just a spiritual leader; he was a national icon who championed local manufacturing, notably through the Kantanka Automobile Company, which produced Ghana’s first locally assembled vehicles. His funeral was anticipated to be a state-like event, with expected attendance from government officials, religious leaders, and the public.

The current family feud, however, threatens to overshadow his legacy. It is not the first time the Safo family has faced internal conflict—disputes over the management of the church and the automobile company have surfaced in recent years, with some family members accusing others of financial mismanagement.

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What Happens Next?

Both parties are expected to appear before the High Court for a hearing on the merits of the injunction within the 10-day period. If the court finds that the Mission has a prima facie case, the injunction could be extended until a full resolution is reached. If not, the funeral could be rescheduled at short notice.

For now, the family remains divided, and the final farewell to one of Ghana’s most enigmatic figures is caught in a legal crossfire. The public, meanwhile, waits to see whether justice or reconciliation will prevail in the Safo household.

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