Dr Philip Siaw Kissi, Family Secretary of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo, has rejected a public announcement on his funeral arrangements by his children.

He has insisted that only the family can perform that role.

A report by adomonline.com on May 21, 2026, stated that Siaw Kissi had indicated that the family had already set its own plans and accused the children of bypassing tradition.

“Our father was very instrumental in our lives. God willing, on June 25, we will perform his doteyie, which means the day he will be buried, after which the family will later come out to announce to the public when the final funeral rites will be held,” he stated on Adom Dwaso Nsem.

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Dr Kissi questioned the authority children had to speak on funeral matters without family consent.

“Is it even right for a child (former Dome Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo) to announce the death of his father or announce funeral arrangements? What I know is that the family has the right to make such announcements,” he fumed.

He explained that under customs, funeral authority rests with the extended family, not the children.

“Apostle Kwadwo Safo comes from a family, and, as a family, it is rather our right to come out and announce the funeral rites to the public. He belonged to a family before he had children, so how can a child announce that?” he quizzed.

The family secretary pointed to funeral notices and obituary posters as proof of the custom.

“That is why when you look at obituary posters, you usually see the family first before the children. A child cannot be an Abusuapanyin,” he said.

Dr Kissi said the family had held back to avoid public controversy.

“There is a lot to say, but because of the love we have for the man, we as a family are trying hard not to tarnish our image in public,” he added.

He explained that customary practice requires families to be informed through designated representatives.

“In our customs, when someone dies in a family, even if the person is your father, some family members are delegated to announce the death. And truly, they sent some people to inform us as a family, so why then go ahead and have a child take matters into his or her own hands?” he asked.

The comments follow an earlier announcement by former Dome Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, the Kristo Asafo Mission, and the Funeral Planning Committee stating that Apostle Kwadwo Safo would be buried at Gomoa Mpota on July 30, 2026.

NAD/VPO

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