Kantanka funeral to go ahead despite family dispute, says Adwoa Safo
The former Ghanaian lawmaker says burial arrangements for the founder of Kristo Asafo have been finalised, contradicting claims by her brother that disagreements within the family remain unresolved.
The funeral and burial of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka will proceed as planned this week despite a public dispute within his family over the arrangements, former MP Sarah Adwoa Safo has said.
Her comments came after her brother, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I, Head of the Safo Family and leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, said at a news conference that disagreements over the funeral plans had not been resolved, making it impossible to confirm a burial date.
Speaking on Angel FM, Ms Adwoa Safo rejected those claims, insisting that preparations had been completed and that the funeral committee had secured agreement from key stakeholders.
She said the committee had held consultations with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and former President John Agyekum Kufuor before finalising the programme.
"The funeral will go on as scheduled," she said, urging the public to ignore reports that it had been postponed or cancelled.
According to Ms Adwoa Safo, Apostle Dr Safo Kantanka will be buried at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region on Thursday, July 30. A funeral service is scheduled to take place at Accra's Independence Square the following day, while a thanksgiving service will be held in Asante Mampong on 8 August.
She also accused the head of the family of failing to proceed with an earlier funeral date planned for 25 June, saying that decision led to the current timetable.
The conflicting statements have exposed divisions within the family of one of Ghana's most prominent religious leaders and industrialists, whose death prompted tributes from across the country.
Ms Adwoa Safo also disclosed that she had undergone successful surgery after sustaining gunshot injuries during the coronation of Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena I. She did not provide further details about her condition.
The family has yet to indicate whether the differences over the funeral arrangements have been resolved. For now, Ghanaians are faced with two conflicting accounts over ceremonies expected to honour one of the country's best-known religious figures.