Apostle Kwadwo Safo Family Raises Concerns Over Funeral Rites Announcement
The family of the late renowned inventor and founder of the Kristo Asafo Mission, Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Kantanka, has questioned the decision by one of his children to publicly announce funeral arrangements without the approval of the family.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the family secretary, Dr. Philip Siaw Kissi, stated that under Ghanaian tradition, the authority to announce funeral rites belongs to the extended family and not directly to the children of the deceased.
According to him, the family has already outlined its own arrangements for the burial of the late Apostle Safo and intends to officially communicate the plans at the appropriate time.
“Our father was very instrumental in our lives. God willing, on June 25, we will perform his doteyie, which means the day he will be buried, after which the family will later come out to announce to the public when the final funeral rites will be held,” he explained.
Dr. Kissi questioned whether it was culturally appropriate for a child to independently announce funeral arrangements.
“Is it even right for a child to announce the death of his father or announce funeral arrangements? What I know is that the family has the right to make such announcements,” he said.
He stressed that Apostle Kwadwo Safo belonged to a family before having children, and therefore customary authority regarding funeral matters rests with the family elders.
“A child cannot be an Abusuapanyin,” he added, explaining that obituary posters and funeral notices traditionally place the family ahead of the children.
Dr. Kissi also disclosed that some family representatives had already been formally informed of the death in accordance with custom, making the public announcement by a child even more questionable in the eyes of the family.
He further noted that the family has chosen to remain calm and avoid public conflict out of respect for the legacy of the late Kristo Asafo founder.
The comments follow an earlier announcement by former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo, together with the Kristo Asafo Mission and the Funeral Planning Committee, stating that Apostle Kwadwo Safo would be buried on July 30, 2026, at Gomoa Mpota.
