I’m only honouring my father’s dying wish, not fighting for church leadership — Adwoa Safo

Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has dismissed claims that the ongoing dispute with her brother is driven by ambitions to lead the Kristo Asafo church or gain control over family property.

In a statement issued on July 3, 2026, Adwoa Safo said her actions are solely aimed at fulfilling the final directives of her late father, Apostle Kwadwo Safo, regarding the church's leadership and the Kantanka family.

"The matter at hand is neither about any aspiration on my part to lead the Kristo Asafo Church, nor does it concern a dispute over church property or, for that matter, inheritance," she indicated.

According to her, Apostle Kwadwo Safo amended the church's constitution in 2024, removing Israel Kwadwo Safo as leader of the church.

She added that her father subsequently installed her as the leader of the Kantanka family in February 2025.

Adwo Safo said the decision was one her father expected her to uphold after his death.

'Adwoa Safo fired first shot before security response' - Church lawyer alleges

"On his death bed, my dad instructed me to ensure that this provision was expressly upheld, and I consider it my duty and responsibility to honour that directive as his first child," she stated.

Adwoa Safo further insisted that she has no personal interest in benefiting from her father's estate, describing herself as self-made and financially independent.

"I say with modesty, that I am deeply blessed to be self-made and I have never sought to draw wealth or personal gain from my late father's estate or properties, but have for many years, even before the passing of our dear dad, chosen to walk a path defined by integrity, contentment, independence, and self-determined effort," she said.

She also stated that Apostle Kwadwo Safo did not die intestate, adding that he left a valid will outlining the administration of his estate, including his properties and inheritance, which she said would be addressed through the appropriate legal process.

Her remarks form part of a broader statement issued following the assassination attempt on her life on June 21, 2026, in which she sought to clarify what she described as widespread misinformation surrounding the circumstances leading to the incident.

Read the full statement below:

July 3, 2026.

STATEMENT BY SARAH ADWOA SAFO FOR JUSTICE ON ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON HER LIFE.

Following the disturbing and very brazen assassination attempt on my life on the morning of Sunday June 21, 2026, I feel it is imperative to address the public directly on the matters leading to this grave and deeply unfortunate incident and its aftermath.

Firstly, I am profoundly grateful to be alive, and I do not take that reality for granted. With bullets, flying all around me on that fateful Sunday morning and the thought of losing my life and leaving behind my two young children has been deeply distressing as a mother and will remain an experience I cannot wish for any one. I am eternally grateful to God for my life.

No one should ever have to live under the threat of violence or intimidation, most especially, a woman standing firm in her convictions and carrying out the dying wishes and responsibilities bestowed on her.

My near death experience is even the more troubling, in that, if an attempt of this nature can happen to a Woman of my Background, Standing, and Public Persona and afterwards there is a seeming lacklustre interest in pursuing and bringing the perpetrators of this heinous crime to book and ensure Justice is served, raises very serious concerns for every Ghanaian in this country in relation to the broader implications for public safety, the administration of justice, and the protection of especially women and the vulnerable in our society.

While I fully respect the right of every accused person to due process and the presumption of innocence, I believe it is equally important that the justice system is seen to be firm, fair, impartial, and sensitive to the experiences of victims, especially women.

Let me also be explicitly clear on the facts, because there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation on the issues leading to the shooting attempt on my life.

The matter at hand is neither about any aspiration on my part to lead the Kristo Asafo Church, nor does it concern a dispute over church property or, for that matter, inheritance.

I say with modesty, that I am deeply blessed to be self made and I have never sought to draw wealth or personal gain from my late father’s estate or properties, but have for many years even before the passing of our dear dad, chosen to walk a path defined by integrity, contentment, independence, and self-determined effort.

My position has been about upholding the dying wishes of our dad and the enforcement of the church’s amended constitution, which was directed by my late dad, Apostle Kwadwo Safo in 2024, removing Israel Kwadwo Safo as leader of the Church and thereafter, installing me as the leader of the Kantanka Family in February 2025.

On his death bed, my dad instructed me to ensure that this provision was expressly upheld, and I consider it my duty and responsibility to honour that directive as his first child.[Find attached, extract of letter from me to the leadership of the Church]

It is also important to state clearly that my dad did not die intestate. He left a valid Will, which I believe sets out definitive provisions for the administration of his estate, including his properties and inheritance all of which will be properly addressed and given effect upon the formal reading and execution of same.

I want to sincerely thank my family for their support, my siblings for their constant presence, my two kids, Kelvin and Daniella, the doctors and medical team for their care, my friends, well-wishers and the Ghanaian people for their immense support, prayers, encouragement, and goodwill messages during this very difficult period. It has meant more than words can express.

At the heart of all of this must be Justice for Apostle Kwadwo Safo and all he worked and stood for, Justice for myself, Sarah Adwoa Safo, Justice for my family, Justice for the Kristo Asafo Church, Justice for the thousands in Dome-Kwabenya whom I served in the last 12 years and Justice for the many women who continue to face intimidation in a patriarchal society, and Justice for every Ghanaian who is increasingly worried that justice is not always guaranteed equally.

Justice must not only exist in principle. It must be seen, felt, and experienced by all. Justice must manifestly be seen to be done right to, and by all.

Sarah Adwoa Safo(Esq.)

MRA/EB

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