BY Issah Olegor
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has joined many Ghanaians in mourning the passing of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, the founder of the Kristo Asafo Mission and a pioneer of indigenous technological innovation in Ghana.
Nana Akufo-Addo, accompanied by a delegation of former government officials, visited the family of the late religious and industrial icon at his Taifa residence in Accra to commiserate with them.
The former President was joined by Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, former Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and some of his appointees.
Together, they extended their condolences to Apostle Safo’s children, including former Minister for Gender and Social Protection and MP for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, and the wider family.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with Apostle Safo, Nana Akufo-Addo revealed that their first encounter was strictly professional.
“I became his lawyer after he conducted a thorough search for effective legal representation for his church and himself,” he recalled. Over time, however, the relationship evolved beyond legal services into a personal friendship that he cherished deeply.
Akufo-Addo described Apostle Safo as industrious, innovative, and generous—a man whose impact was felt across religion, science, and the socio-political space.
He emphasized that the Kristo Asafo Mission’s support for him personally, and for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over the years, “remains invaluable and cannot be forgotten.”
Even during his ill health, Akufo-Addo noted, Apostle Safo remained a trusted associate and a source of inspiration.
He likened his legacy to that of Leonardo Da Vinci, drawing parallels between Safo’s efforts to harmonize the church with scientific and technological progress and Da Vinci’s historic association with the Catholic Church.
Born in 1948, Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka rose to prominence not only as a charismatic religious leader but also as a visionary inventor.
Through his Kantanka Automobile Company and Kristo Asafo Mission, he championed homegrown technological advancements, producing vehicles, machinery, and electronic devices that showcased the potential of Ghanaian innovation.
His annual technology exhibitions attracted national attention, earning him recognition as a pioneer of indigenous industrialization.
In his tribute, Akufo-Addo described him as a “gracious, humorous, elegant, and handsome leader” whose contributions would continue to resonate long after his passing.
He concluded by praying for his eternal rest in the bosom of the Almighty until the day of resurrection.
The passing of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka marks the end of an era for Ghana, as the nation bids farewell to a man who bridged faith and technology in unique and groundbreaking ways.
