Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka Passes Away at 77: Ghana Mourns Visionary Founder of Kristo Asafo Church and Kantanka Automobiles
Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, the pioneering Ghanaian inventor, pastor, and industrialist behind the Kristo Asafo Church and Kantanka Automobile, has passed away peacefully at the age of 77.
The Safo family and Kristo Asafo Church confirmed the news on Sunday, September 14, stating he died on Thursday, September 11, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on August 26, 1948, in Bekwai, Ashanti Region, to Opanin Yaw Safo and Obaapanin Yaa Amoanimaa, Apostle Safo was a self-taught engineer and Pan-African visionary who championed African self-reliance through science and technology. He founded Kantanka Automobile in 1994, revolutionizing local manufacturing with vehicles like the Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup, designed for African terrains using indigenous components.
His assembly plant in Accra, established in 2012 with Chinese partners, produced cars from knock-down kits, saving Ghana millions in imports and inspiring youth in STEM.
As the founder of the Kristo Asafo Mission (Christ Reformed Church), Apostle Safo promoted a theology emphasizing human divinity, self-empowerment, and African innovation, blending spirituality with industrial pursuits.
His annual technology exhibitions showcased inventions from armored vehicles to exoskeletons, earning him an honorary professorship from Alfred Nobel University in Ukraine for uplifting Africa’s image.
A philanthropist, he supported schools, universities, and communities through his mission, often declaring, “The future of Africa is in the collective effort of Africans.”
Tributes poured in on social media, with users hailing him as “Kantanka, the African Star” for his unyielding belief in Black excellence. Ghanaian musician and actor Van Vicker posted, “A giant has fallen, but his legacy drives us forward.”
The family, led by daughter Sarah Adwoa Safo (former Dome-Kwabenya MP), previously debunked false death rumors in August 2025, announcing his birthday celebrations on August Funeral arrangements will be announced soon.
Apostle Safo’s son, Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, continues his legacy as Kantanka Group’s CEO since 2016
