It could be described as a day of joy for Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena after the Accra High Court confirmed him as the successor to the Kantanka Empire following the reading of the will of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.

The verdict, delivered on July 6, 2026, came after a tense legal battle between some children of the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.

Following the ruling that declared him the rightful leader of the Kristo Asafo Church, Nana Akofena was seen shedding tears profusely.

Videos circulating on social media showed him, dressed in black, shedding tears of joy as he was welcomed by well-wishers.

He was later seen at his residence as friends, family, and well-wishers trooped in to congratulate him.

Accra High Court rules on Kantanka succession - Reports

Earlier, speaking to journalists outside the High Court in Accra on Monday, July 6, 2026, Ghanaian fashion icon and member of the Kristo Asafo Mission, Richard Brown, popularly known as Osebo the Zaraman, said the late Apostle had named his son, Israel Kwadwo Safo, as his successor.

According to him, the family discovered after the opening of the will that Apostle Safo had bequeathed his entire estate to Kwadwo Safo Kantanka Jnr, also known as Akofena.

"Indeed, after reading the will, it is evident that everything was bequeathed to him. Although we did not support him at the beginning, we now fully accept and embrace this decision because it was our father's wish. We will therefore support Akofena completely in every way," he said.

He added that although there had been initial resistance to Safo Jnr's leadership, the family had now agreed to respect the wishes of the late Apostle.

"If our father has willed all his properties to Akofena, I have no objections. We will all support him," he said.

The ruling comes after months of a bitter succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission following the death of Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka in September 2025, a saga that drew in rival family members, court injunctions, and a shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo.
 
Watch the video below:

🇬🇭 Nana Akofena broke down in tears after the High Court declared him the rightful leader of the Kristo Asafo Church following the reading of the final will. pic.twitter.com/E8z2tGds42

— CDR AFRICA (@cdrafrica) July 6, 2026