Late Apostle Kwadwo Safo, the founder of Kristo Asafo Church and Kantanka Group of Companies, passed away last Thursday at the age of 77. Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has eulogized him stating that he "served Ghana way above the capacity of a religious leader."
Apostle Kwadwo Safo 'Kantanka' Christo Asafo Church founder passes on - Adwoa Safo confirms
Reacting to the passing of Apostle Safo, Dr Bawumia has termed him as a man who led local innovations and boldly called for an industrial spirit among Ghanaians.
"He was also dedicated to advancing the welfare of the poor in society as seen in his famous different philanthropic endeavors."
Following is a copy of Dr Bawumia's response
I have received with extreme sadness the news of the passing of Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, a pioneering Ghanaian innovator; and visionary founder and leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Apostle Safo served Ghana way beyond the capacity of a religious leader. He pioneered new frontiers of indigenous innovations and forcefully spurred an industrial drive among the Ghanaians. He was likewise dedicated to improving the lives of the underprivileged in society as attested by his immensely acclaimed many philanthropic endeavors.
As a religious leader, his open arms received me. Whenever I went to visit him, I departed from his presence with sustaining words of inspiration and wisdom.
In behalf of my family, I would like to express my sincerest condolences to his family, the Kristo Asafo Mission, and all those who are mourning this irrevocable loss.
His legacy must continue and inspire generations to come to believe in our locally made solutions, work for their people, and put Ghana above all else.
He was born on August 26, 1948, and died on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo over the years established himself as an illustrious preacher, inventor, innovator, physicist, chemist, biologist, agriculturalist and philanthropist.
Baptized 'The Star of Africa", he was also the proprietor of the Great KOSA group of companies as well as Chairman of the Kantanka Group of Companies.
He founded Kantanka Automobile, a motor manufacturing company in Ghana, and the Kristo Asafo Mission, a religious and industrial organization.
Apostle Safo gained fame for his work in local manufacturing and technological advancement in Ghana, particularly in vehicles like the Kantanka Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck, all designed for Africa's market.
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Here is a copy of the release from his family of his death
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEAS
THE PASSING OF APOSTLE KWADWO SAFO
With profound sorrow and deepest grief, the Safo Family and Kristo Asafo Church announce the peaceful passing of Ghana's man of God, the finest technological icon, philanthropist, farmer, and industrialist fondly referred to as "Kantanka, the African Star".
Our dear Father passed away in peace on Thursday, 11th September 2025.
Romans 14:8 states; "For if we live, we live to the Lord and if we die, we die to the Lord".
Apostle Safo was indeed a genius, hope for many, a father to the fatherless. Ghana has lost a galant son and a legend indeed.
His unique personality was established through his challenges in life, ambitions, vigor, courage, resilience and commitment to His calling and faith.
During these mourning periods, we humbly request that the public maintains respect for the family and loved ones' privacy.
Funeral and burial arrangements will be announced appropriately in the days to come
Signed
Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo (Esq)
Apostle Kwadwo Safo was born in Bekwai in the Ashanti Region.
As a child, he was interested in science and technology and had always dreamed of pursuing and developing his talent in the area.
He proceeded to complete basic education and learned engineering at the Ghana Technical Works Institute in Kumasi, whereafter he worked as a welder at the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and other firms.
He founded the Kristo Asafo Mission in 1969 as a prayer group.
In 1971, the Mission diversified into an African-initiated church, and subsequently into electronics manufacturing, agricultural tools, and automobiles.
In 1994, Apostle Safo founded Kantanka Automobile to produce cars suitable for African climates.
The company began production in 1998, producing locally sourced components for vehicles such as the Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck.
Kantanka Automobile established a final assembly plant in Accra by the services of China's Chongqing Big Science and Technology company in 2012 to assemble vehicles from knock-down kits. Kantanka cars are made in Ghana through importing parts from China. The completed cars are both distributed domestically in Ghana and exported to West African countries like Nigeria and Ivory Coast.