Scenes from late Apostle Kwadwo Safo 'Kantanka's' 40-day observation
The family of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo 'Kantanka', founder of the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana on Monday [October 20, 2025], observed the 40 days after his passing at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
The solemn observance had family members, friends, church members and people from all walks of life in attendance.
The family puts his age at 113 years, quoting August 26, 1912 as his date of birth.
Prior to the clarification by the family, August 26, 1948 had been captured as his date of birth, thereby putting him at age 77 as of the time of his passing on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
The atmosphere at the grounds for the 40 days observance emotional, as mourners in tears while reflecting on the life and legacy of the man affectionately known as the “Star of Africa.”
In a moment that moved many to jubilation, some members of the congregation were seen rejoicing after a rainbow appeared around the sun, which they described as a divine sign symbolising the Apostle’s enduring spiritual presence.
Apostle Safo, revered for his innovation, philanthropy, and faith-based leadership, left behind a lasting impact on Ghana’s industrial and spiritual landscape.
The children of the late Apostle Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka during the 40-day observation ceremony held in honor of their father. pic.twitter.com/5ROEbDjnwv
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) October 20, 2025
Kwadwo Safo Jnr arrives at the 40-day celebration of life for his late father, Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka. pic.twitter.com/0j5dMJZ8JF
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) October 20, 2025
Apostle Kwadwo Safo over the years established himself as a well-known preacher, inventor, innovator, physicist, chemist, biologist, agriculturalist and philanthropist.
Nicknamed 'The Star of Africa", he was also the founder of the Great KOSA network of companies and the Chairman of the Kantanka Group of Companies.
He founded Kantanka Automobile, a Ghana-based automotive company, and the Kristo Asafo Mission, a religious and industrial organisation.
Apostle Safo was known for his contributions to local manufacturing and technological innovation in Ghana, particularly through vehicles like the Kantanka Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck, designed for African markets.
- Can-do spirit of Kristo Asafo worth emulating
- Go back to your roots – Apostle Kwadwo Safo
- Apostle Safo’s engineering exploits, who cares?
Apostle Kwadwo Safo was born in Bekwai in the Ashanti Region.
Right from childhoold, he had a passion for science and technology and grew up desiring to pursue and develop his talent in that space.
After completing basic education, he attended the Ghana Technical Works Institute in Kumasi, where he studied engineering, and later worked as a welder at the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and other firms.
He founded the Kristo Asafo Mission in 1969, initially as a prayer group.
In 1971, the Mission became an African-initiated church, and later expanding into manufacturing electronics, agricultural tools, and automobiles.
In 1994, Apostle Safo established Kantanka Automobile to produce vehicles suited for African conditions.
The company began manufacturing in 1998, using locally sourced components for models like the Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck.
In 2012, using the services of the Chinese company Chongqing Big Science and Technology, Kantanka Automobile established an assembly plant in Accra in order to produce cars from knock-down kits. Kantanka vehicles are assembled in Ghana using parts imported from China. Completed vehicles are both sold domestically and exported to other West African countries, including Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
