The dramatic shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has taken a new twist as the Ghana Police Servic
The dramatic shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has taken a new twist as the Ghana Police Service, the leadership of Kristo Asafo Mission and the church’s legal representatives offer differing accounts of what transpired at a controversial installation ceremony that was reportedly the subject of a court injunction.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Kwabenya in the Greater Accra Region, has further deepened the already bitter succession battle within the Kristo Asafo Mission following the death of its founder, Apostle Emeritus Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo in September 2025.
What was intended to be a ceremony to formally introduce and install Israel Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, as the new leader of the church has now become the focus of police investigations, legal scrutiny and public controversy after gunfire erupted at the venue, leaving Adwoa Safo injured.
Police Confirm Shooting And Arrest Six Security Guards
In its latest update, the Ghana Police Service confirmed that six private security guards have been arrested in connection with the shooting incident.
According to a statement issued by the Accra Regional Police Command, investigators have also recovered five pump-action guns, one Taurus pistol loaded with seven rounds of 9mm ammunition, an additional magazine containing five rounds of ammunition, and communication equipment from the suspects.
Police disclosed that personnel from the National Operations Directorate and the Intelligence Directorate, who were on special duty, responded to a distress call from the residence in Kwabenya.
Upon arrival, officers established that a ceremony was being held at the residence of Mr. Tamakloe Safo Jehoshaphat, also known as Akofena, when Sarah Adwoa Safo reportedly arrived and requested entry into the premises.
According to police investigations, she was denied access.
The police statement further revealed that armed security personnel stationed at the residence allegedly discharged firearms during the confrontation, resulting in injuries to Adwoa Safo.
Investigators also confirmed that her vehicle bore multiple gunshot marks.
The arrested suspects, together with the seized weapons, have since been transferred to the Police Headquarters to assist in ongoing investigations.
Police say efforts are continuing to identify and arrest other persons connected to the incident.
Contradictory Version From Kristo Asafo Mission
While police investigations point to the discharge of firearms by armed security personnel resulting in injuries to the former MP, the leadership of Kristo Asafo Mission has strongly disputed claims that Adwoa Safo was deliberately shot.
In a statement issued shortly after the incident, church leaders claimed that the former MP forcefully drove her vehicle into the church property after a lawful church event had ended.
According to the church, Adwoa Safo allegedly rammed two metallic entrance gates with her vehicle, causing significant damage and creating a dangerous situation for worshippers and guests who were still present on the premises.
The church maintained that security personnel intervened solely to protect lives and property and prevent further escalation.
Church leaders rejected allegations circulating on social media that Adwoa Safo had been shot by her brother or persons acting on his behalf.
They described such reports as false and misleading and called for a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident.
“We categorically reject these allegations as false and misleading. To the best of our knowledge and based on information presently available to us, no such shooting occurred,” the church stated.
Lawyer Claims Security Fired Warning Shots
Adding another layer to the controversy, legal counsel for Kristo Asafo Mission, Nana Kofi Kantanka, has provided yet another version of events.
Speaking in a media interview, the lawyer acknowledged that gunfire occurred but insisted that the shots were merely warning shots intended to stop Adwoa Safo from driving into the residence.
According to him, security personnel became alarmed after hearing repeated loud bangs as a vehicle allegedly crashed into both the southern and northern gates of the property.
The lawyer claimed that security personnel feared attendees could be injured if the vehicle gained access to the compound.
“There are two gates, the northern gate and the southern gate. They heard a loud bang and later realized it was Adwoa Safo’s vehicle attempting to force entry. Security personnel warned her that her actions could cause casualties because there were still people inside the premises. They then fired warning shots to prevent her from entering,” he explained.
The lawyer denied suggestions that the shots were intended to harm the former legislator.
However, the police statement confirming that Adwoa Safo sustained injuries and that her vehicle carried multiple bullet holes has raised fresh questions about the nature and direction of the gunfire.
Court Injunction And Defiance Allegations
The shooting incident occurred against the backdrop of an ongoing legal battle over the leadership succession of the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Only days before the ceremony, a lawsuit had been filed at the General Jurisdiction Division of the High Court in Accra seeking to halt the installation and recognition of Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena as the next leader of the church.
The plaintiffs, Kweku Agyenim Boateng, a former Deputy General Secretary of Kristo Asafo Mission, and Seth Appiah Richard Brown, a former Executive Assistant to the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo, argue that constitutional amendments introduced in 2024 render Akofena ineligible to assume leadership.
The suit seeks declarations and injunctions restraining any attempt to install, present, or recognize him as leader until the constitutional issues are resolved.
Critics of the ceremony argue that the event proceeded despite legal objections and pending court proceedings intended to halt the process.
The controversy has therefore raised concerns about whether actions connected to the installation may have undermined the judicial process.
Video Footage Raises New Questions
Complicating matters further, video footage circulating on social media reportedly shows armed security personnel positioned around the venue carrying firearms during the confrontation
Some footage appears to show weapons being pointed in the direction of Adwoa Safo’s vehicle as tensions escalated at the entrance of the residence.
The emergence of the videos has fueled public debate and intensifies calls for a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly what happened and whether excessive force was used.
Investigators are expected to examine the footage alongside forensic evidence gathered from the scene, including the damaged vehicle and recovered weapons.
Family And Church Tensions Deepen
Beyond the succession dispute, sources close to the Safo family indicate that longstanding tensions have emerged since the death of Apostle Kwadwo Safo, who served as the unifying figure within both the family and the church.
Some sources claim disagreements over leadership direction and influence within the church have widened divisions among family members.
However, other insiders insist the dispute is not primarily about inheritance because the late founder reportedly left a will that addresses the distribution of his estate.
Sources say a copy of the will has already been located by lawyers who are expected to initiate probate proceedings after the late Apostle’s burial scheduled for later in July 2026.
Instead, opposition to Akofena’s installation is said to stem from concerns among some family members and church elders regarding his suitability to lead the mission.
Adwoa Safo has reportedly been among those who opposed his elevation to the leadership position.
Investigations Continue
With six arrests already made, weapons recovered, and conflicting narratives emerging from all sides, the Ghana Police Service now faces the difficult task of reconstructing the events that led to the shooting.
The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications not only for those directly involved but also for the future leadership of one of the most influential religious movements.
COMMENTS