The Kantanka family has released a revised funeral programme for the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo, including a national farewell ceremony at Independence Square, following extensive consultations with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, church leaders, family elders, and relatives abroad.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Friday, May 29, 2026, Sarah Adwoa Safo, introduced as the head of the family and daughter of the late Apostle, explained that the original schedule was adjusted because family members living abroad needed more time to make travel arrangements.
“Having consulted all our family members across the world, and their preparations to come and honour their beloved son, their beloved father, their beloved uncle, indicated that the time was too short for them to plan their coming and to come and pay their last respects to our late father,” she said.
Ms Safo noted that the family engaged extensively with relatives in countries such as Cameroon, Chad, and Nigeria, as well as leaders of the Kristo Asafo Mission, before finalising the new arrangements.
“We’ve been in consultation first with Otumfuo. He has given his blessing with the word that we are addressing the press today,” she added.
Under the revised schedule, the burial service will be held at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region on Thursday, July 30, 2026. A national farewell ceremony will take place at Independence Square in Accra on Friday, July 31, 2026. A thanksgiving service will also be held in Kumasi on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The exact venue in Kumasi is yet to be announced.
Explaining the choice of Kumasi for the thanksgiving service, Ms Safo said it was in recognition of her father’s Ashanti roots.
“We shall have the Thanksgiving service in Kumasi, since my father is an Ashanti and the true blood of the Ashanti Region,” she stated.
The family has also unveiled two official funeral cloths. A black-and-red cloth featuring the image of Apostle Safo will be used for the burial and national farewell ceremonies, while a black-and-white cloth with his image will be worn for the thanksgiving service in Kumasi.
Ms Safo appealed to leaders of the Kristo Asafo Mission to ensure all members across the church’s branches adhere to the approved dress code for a well-organised and colourful event.
She also extended a special invitation to persons with disabilities, pastors, imams, traditional leaders, and all those who benefited from Apostle Safo’s charity to attend the national farewell ceremony at Independence Square.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo, born in Bekwai in the Ashanti Region, was a trained engineer who worked with the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) before founding the Kristo Asafo Mission in 1969. He later established Kantanka Automobile, which became a symbol of Ghanaian innovation and industrialisation. He passed away on September 11, 2025.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
