Lawyer Kwame Akuffo, counsel for six children of the late Apostle Emeritus Professor Ing. Kwadwo Safo, has argued that the reading of the founder's will does not automatically determine who should lead the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday (July 7, 2026), a day after the reading of the late founder's will, Mr Akuffo said the will contains no provision appointing, confirming or naming any individual as the head of the church.
According to him, any interpretation suggesting that the will conclusively settles the succession of the Kristo Asafo Mission should instead be considered in light of the church's constitution.
"The will does not establish the leadership of the church. Leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission is governed by the church's constitution, not by the testamentary wishes of the deceased," he told journalists.
Representing six of the late Apostle's children, including former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo, Mr Akuffo said his clients had instructed him to initiate legal proceedings to seek a judicial interpretation of the provisions of the church's constitution relating to succession.
He maintained that while the will deals with the distribution of the late founder's estate, questions concerning the leadership of the Kristo Asafo Mission should be determined in accordance with the church's constitution.
Mr Akuffo argued that the court should determine the legal effect of the church's constitutional provisions in relation to the succession process, particularly where different interpretations have emerged following the reading of the will.
He also questioned whether the will alone could determine the leadership of the church where constitutional provisions governing succession exist.
Mr Akuffo further maintained that the church's constitution remains the governing instrument on matters relating to leadership and said the courts should provide clarity on the relationship between the constitution and the founder's will.
He disclosed that his clients had commenced legal action in relation to the succession dispute and said the courts would ultimately determine the issues raised.
The succession of the Kristo Asafo Mission has attracted significant public attention following the death of Apostle Emeritus Professor Ing. Kwadwo Safo, with differing interpretations emerging over the legal effect of his will and the church's constitutional provisions.
The legal proceedings initiated by the six siblings are expected to seek judicial clarity on whether the church's constitution or the founder's will governs the appointment of the next leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
