Family Accuses Adwoa Safo of Withholding Apostle Kwadwo Safo’s Body as Funeral Feud Heads to Court

A bitter family dispute over the funeral of the late Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo has escalated, with relatives accusing former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo of denying them access to their patriarch’s remains and disregarding customary burial practices.

The Aduana (Kotoko) Royals of Essumeja, the late industrialist’s extended family, say the conflict is not primarily about the funeral date but about who has legal and customary authority over the custody of the deceased.

Speaking on JoyNews Today on Tuesday, Family Secretary Dr. Philip Siaw Kissi alleged that Adwoa Safo assumed control of the funeral process immediately after her father’s death by completing documentation at the funeral home, effectively preventing the family from taking possession of the body.

Under Akan customary practice, he argued, responsibility for the deceased rests with the family rather than an individual child.

“The central issue is that custom demands that when someone dies, the family is supposed to take custody of the body. It’s not the daughter,” Dr. Siaw Kissi said.

He claimed the family has been unable to view Apostle Safo’s remains since his death, adding that even his six children have allegedly not been granted access to their father’s body.

According to Dr. Siaw Kissi, repeated attempts to resolve the impasse through dialogue have failed, leaving the family with no alternative but to pursue legal action to reclaim custody and assert what they describe as their customary rights.

The dispute has also been fuelled by unverified claims that spiritual prophecies may be influencing decisions surrounding the burial. While stressing that the family has no evidence to substantiate those reports, Dr. Siaw Kissi said the circumstances have heightened their concerns.

He appealed to members of the Kristo Asafo Mission, political figures and traditional authorities to refrain from taking sides until the legal and customary issues are resolved.

Despite the growing tensions, the family insists it is willing to cooperate on funeral arrangements, including addressing financial matters discussed during previous meetings, provided customary protocols are respected.

The dispute marks the latest chapter in an increasingly public disagreement over the burial of one of Ghana’s most influential inventors, industrialists and religious leaders, whose legacy spans engineering, manufacturing and faith-based innovation. Family representatives maintain that preserving that legacy requires a resolution rooted in tradition rather than division.