The Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, an influential African Independent Church, has officially confirmed the passing of its revered founder, Apostle Dr. Prof. Emeritus Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The announcement, made by church leadership, marks the end of an era for the organization, which blends spirituality, innovation, and Pan-African empowerment.
Apostle Safo Kantanka, who was 77 years old at the time of his death, succumbed peacefully after a life dedicated to advancing Ghanaian self-reliance through faith and technology. Details surrounding his passing remain private, with the church emphasizing his enduring legacy over specifics. “Apostle Safo was a visionary prophet, inventor, and father to our nation,” a church spokesperson stated in the official release. “His departure to the eternal realm leaves a void, but his teachings and innovations will guide us forward.”
Born on August 26, 1948, in Bekwai, Ashanti Region, Kwadwo Safo Kantanka began his spiritual journey in the late 1960s. He established the Kristo Asafo Mission as a prayer group in 1969, formally transforming it into a church on February 3, 1971, in Accra. The mission, often described as the “Christ Reformed Church,” promotes a unique theology that views all humans as divine through the Holy Spirit, interpreting heaven and hell as states of mind rather than physical places. It emphasizes hard work, science, and technology as paths to African redemption and upliftment.
Beyond ministry, Apostle Safo was a pioneering entrepreneur. In 1994, he founded Kantanka Automobile, Ghana’s first indigenous car manufacturing company, aiming to produce vehicles tailored for African terrains using local components. Models like the Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck symbolized his commitment to technological independence. The company, part of the broader Kantanka Group, also ventured into assembling vehicles from knock-down kits in partnership with international firms and even developed armored vehicles and innovative prototypes showcased at annual technology exhibitions.
His son, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, succeeded him as CEO of the Kantanka Group in 2016, continuing the family’s mission of blending faith with industrial progress. Apostle Safo’s influence extended to philanthropy, education, and Pan-Africanism; he received an honorary professorship in Science and Technology from Alfred Nobel University in Ukraine for his contributions to empowering Africa economically.
The news of his death follows a period of health rumors and debunked hoaxes earlier in the year. In August 2025, his daughter, Sarah Adwoa Safo—a former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya and Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection—publicly refuted false reports of his demise, affirming his vitality ahead of his birthday celebrations. Tributes have since poured in from across Ghana and the diaspora, highlighting his spiritual guidance, inventive spirit, and role in fostering black emancipation.
Church members and followers gathered at the Kristo Asafo headquarters in Accra over the weekend for prayers and reflections. Funeral arrangements are pending, with a state-like service expected to honor his national impact. “The sleeping giant of Africa is awake,” one church elder echoed, quoting a prophetic vision attributed to Apostle Safo from 2019, underscoring his belief in continental renewal.
Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka’s life exemplified the fusion of divine inspiration and practical innovation, leaving an indelible mark on Ghana’s religious and industrial landscape.