Before the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka‘s will is taken as proof of who now leads the Kristo Asafo Mission, the church’s constitution must also be considered, private legal practitioner Kwame Akufo has argued.
His comments followed the reading of the late founder’s will at the Accra High Court, an event that reignited debate over the leadership of both the Kristo Asafo Mission and the Kantanka Empire. While some have interpreted the contents of the will as confirming Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena as successor to the Kantanka Empire, Mr Akufo insists the document does not settle the question of who heads the church.
Addressing journalists after the proceedings, he reportedly maintained that the will should not be read as appointing any individual to lead the religious organisation.
“That the will does not confer leadership position on anybody; it speaks to a pool of people, but there’s a point to be made there.”
Mr Akufo explained that the will was signed before amendments were made to the Kristo Asafo Mission’s constitution, making it necessary to examine the constitutional changes that followed rather than relying on the will alone.
“This will was dated and signed before the amendment of the Constitution.”
According to him, Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena held a prominent place in the late founder’s plans when the will was drafted.
“At the time that the will was written, Akofena was clearly a man who sat in the bowels of the man’s heart.”
He noted that Akofena was later officially appointed to exercise authority on behalf of the founder.
“Subsequently, Akofena was designated as an exerciser of the gentleman upon his person.”
Mr Akufo, however, said that arrangement did not remain in force. He argued that Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka later introduced constitutional changes that revoked the earlier provision.
“It was the same gentleman who initiated a repeal of that constitutional provision, and Akofena was removed as designated leader.”
In his view, the constitutional framework that existed at the time of the founder’s death differed from the one that was in place when the will was executed.
“So by the time his father was dying, Akofena was not the designated leader of the church.”
Mr Akufo also criticised public commentary surrounding the succession dispute, saying many interpretations have ignored the constitutional amendments made by the late founder and instead focused solely on the contents of the will.
