Former Member of Parliament Sarah Adwoa Safo has urged members of the Kristo Asafo Church and the general public to disregard a directive by her brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Akofena, purporting to cancel the planned funeral of their late father, Apostle Emeritus Professor Ing. Kwadwo Safo.
According to her, Israel Kwadwo Safo played no meaningful role in the planning, coordination, or financing of the activities leading up to the funeral of their late father.
Hon. Adwoa Safo, speaking in an interview on the Angel Morning Show, insisted that her brother has no locus or authority to postpone or cancel the Kwadwo Safo funeral arrangements.
Also read: Atta Issah hails budget success, declares economy on recovery track
She disclosed that, from the time of Apostle Kwadwo Safo’s passing through to the organisation of the 40-day observation, her brother did not participate in the planning or financial support for the events.
Hon. Adwoa Safo claimed that although her brother did not contribute to the organisation of the 40-day commemoration, he later attended the event with an entourage.
She also recalled that Israel Kwadwo Safo had previously announced plans to organise a funeral for their father but failed to carry out those arrangements.
“If he could not honour his own publicly announced funeral arrangements, on what basis does he now seek to stop one that has been meticulously planned?” she asked.
The former MP described the alleged attempt to stop the Kwadwo Safo funeral as irresponsible, insisting that the preparations for the final funeral rites had already advanced significantly.
Honour father’s legacy
An emotional Adwoa Safo said she remains determined to ensure that her father received a dignified and befitting farewell in recognition of his contribution to Ghana.
She said Apostle Kwadwo Safo had made significant contributions to the country and to the lives of many people, adding that she considers it her responsibility to honour his legacy.
Hon. Adwoa Safo further disclosed that she was at her father’s bedside during his final moments.
According to her, before his passing, Apostle Kwadwo Safo entrusted her with certain personal responsibilities concerning matters to be handled after his death.
She said fulfilling those responsibilities was both a sacred duty and a moral obligation.
Funeral arrangements
Hon. Adwoa Safo also stated that the Kwadwo Safo funeral arrangements were made in close consultation with the Manhyia Palace, and His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II played a pivotal role in determining the dates for the funeral.
According to her, the funeral programme has received the blessing of the Palace and has gone through the appropriate traditional processes.
She further disclosed that official invitations had been extended to President John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Speaker of Parliament, senior government officials, traditional authorities and other distinguished personalities.
She said several of the invited dignitaries had already confirmed their attendance.
The former MP maintained that extensive public awareness had been created and that the logistical and ceremonial preparations for the funeral had been completed.
“At this stage, there is simply no basis whatsoever for anyone to suggest that the funeral will be cancelled,” she asserted.
Disregard cancellation claims
Hon. Adwoa Safo assured members of the Kristo Asafo Church, admirers of Apostle Kwadwo Safo and the general public that the funeral would proceed as scheduled.
She urged the public to disregard any contrary claims and continue preparations to give the late Apostle Emeritus Professor Ing. Kwadwo Safo a dignified and befitting farewell.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo was widely known as a spiritual leader, industrialist, technologist and philanthropist whose work attracted significant public attention in Ghana.
The dispute over the funeral arrangements has generated public interest, with the latest comments from Hon. Adwoa Safo adding a new dimension to the ongoing discussion over who has the authority to determine the final funeral arrangements.