By Daniel Bampoe
The long-running leadership and succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission has taken a dramatic turn following the arrest of Israel Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Akofena, in connection with the alleged shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo.
The arrest comes barely days after tensions within the family of the late Apostle Emeritus Professor Ing. Kwadwo Safo escalated into a major security matter, drawing the attention of law enforcement agencies and reigniting public debate over the future leadership of one of Ghana’s most influential religious movements.
According to the Ghana Police Service, Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena voluntarily reported himself to the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters on June 22, 2026, a day after the shooting incident that allegedly targeted his sister, Sarah Adwoa Safo.
Following his appearance at the regional command, he was subsequently handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to assist with ongoing investigations.
Police investigators later conducted searches on a vehicle linked to the suspect as well as his residence at Kwabenya.
The operation reportedly led to the retrieval of a significant cache of ammunition and firearms.
According to the Police Service, officers recovered 120 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 50 rounds of .45 calibre ammunition, 25 rounds of .40 calibre ammunition, a number of loaded magazines and two Glock pistols.
Police indicated that one of the recovered pistols is legally registered in the name of Israel Kwadwo Safo.
Investigators subsequently widened the scope of the operation, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Nana Kwaku Afriyie and Kwadwo Safo Koomson.
Authorities believe the two individuals may have information relevant to the ongoing investigations.
Police officials say all three suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned before court as authorities continue efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The arrests stem from an alleged shooting episode that occurred on June 21, 2026, during a period of heightened tensions within the Kristo Asafo Mission and the Kwadwo Safo family.
According to a statement issued by the family faction led by Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, the incident occurred when she allegedly attempted to serve court documents on her younger brother concerning legal proceedings seeking to halt a planned installation ceremony intended to declare Israel Safo as leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
The family’s statement claimed that during the encounter, multiple gunshots were allegedly fired in her direction and at her vehicle.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, triggering investigations that have now resulted in the arrests.
The shooting incident has unfolded against the backdrop of an increasingly bitter succession battle following the death of Apostle Emeritus Professor Kwadwo Safo on September 11, 2025.
For years, Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena had been widely regarded as the heir apparent to the Kristo Asafo Mission after being designated by his father in 2017 as successor to oversee both the church and the various businesses established under the Kristo Asafo conglomerate.
However, according to members of the family aligned with Adwoa Safo, concerns later emerged over the management and direction of some of the group’s businesses and church activities.
The family claims that Apostle Kwadwo Safo subsequently revoked the earlier succession arrangement in 2024 and introduced a new roadmap for the future leadership of the mission.
The family further maintains that Adwoa Safo was appointed Head of the Kwadwo Safo Family and entrusted with overseeing the transition process, while Israel Safo was allegedly excluded from future succession arrangements.
These claims have become the subject of intense public debate and internal disagreements within both the family and sections of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Following the death of the founder, differing interpretations of his final wishes have fuelled a struggle for authority between competing factions, leading to legal battles, public statements and now a criminal investigation.
The latest arrests have added a new dimension to the dispute, with police now examining allegations surrounding the shooting while separate legal questions relating to succession and leadership remain before the courts.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has assured the public that investigations will be conducted professionally and thoroughly.
Authorities say every aspect of the incident is being examined, including the circumstances surrounding the alleged shooting, the recovered firearms and ammunition, and the possible involvement of other individuals.
