The late Apostle Kwadwo Safo ‘Kantanka’ once shared a remarkable story about his birth and early life during an interview with Lexis Bill of Joy FM a
The late Apostle Kwadwo Safo ‘Kantanka’ once shared a remarkable story about his birth and early life during an interview with Lexis Bill of Joy FM and Nana Yaw Piesie Safo in 2021. The conversation, later published by Kantanka TV in 2022, offered a rare glimpse into the life of the man behind some of Ghana’s most notable technological innovations.
During the interview, conducted at the Kristo Asafo Mission’s Annual Tech Expo, Apostle Safo recounted how he first settled in Accra in 1965—just a year before the 1966 coup that toppled President Kwame Nkrumah—and started what would later become the Kristo Asafo Church. He explained that his ministry began in a single-room apartment in Accra New Town around 1969/70, initially as a prayer group before transforming into a full-fledged church known as Christ Reformed Church.
When asked about his age during the interview, Apostle Safo declined to provide a specific number. He, however, confirmed key moments in his life, such as his father’s passing in 1969 and his mother’s death in 1975.
There have since been conflicting reports about his actual age. While some publications listed his date of birth as August 26, 1948—making him 77 at the time of his passing on September 11, 2025—his family stated that he was born on August 26, 1912, which would make him 113 years old. The discrepancy has sparked widespread public debate over his true age.
Apostle Safo, the last of six children, showed an early fascination with science and technology. He studied engineering at the Ghana Technical Works Institute in Kumasi, now the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI), and later worked as a welder with the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and an Israeli firm that contributed to the construction of the Akosombo Dam.
In 1969, he founded the Kristo Asafo Mission, which by 1971 had evolved into a full African-initiated church. Over time, his passion for innovation led to the creation of Kantanka Automobile in 1994, which began producing vehicles designed for African terrain. By 1998, locally assembled models such as the Kantanka Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup had entered the Ghanaian market.
In 2012, Kantanka Automobile partnered with Chinese firm Chongqing Big Science and Technology to establish an assembly plant that produced cars from knock-down kits, with finished vehicles sold both locally and across West Africa.
Apostle Safo’s legacy extends beyond cars. He pioneered numerous inventions—including drones, machinery, and electronic devices—and consistently advocated for technological self-reliance in Africa. Despite challenges such as limited funding and resources, he remained steadfast in his mission to inspire innovation and use technology to improve lives.
Through his works and teachings, Apostle Kwadwo Safo ‘Kantanka’ left behind an enduring legacy as Ghana’s foremost inventor, visionary, and advocate for African ingenuity.