Former Dome-Kwabenya MP and former Gender Minister Sarah Adwoa Safo sustained a gunshot injury during a violent confrontation at Akofena Palace in Kwabenya on Sunday, June 21, 2026, amid an ongoing succession dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana.
The incident occurred during activities intended to formally introduce and install Israel Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena, as successor to the late Apostle Emeritus Kwadwo Safo.
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The event took place despite ongoing legal and administrative disputes surrounding the succession process.
Reports from the scene indicate that tensions were high due to disagreements among family members and supporters over the leadership transition.
Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding how the shooting occurred.
According to reports from supporters and witnesses, armed men opened fire on a vehicle carrying Sarah Adwoa Safo near her brother’s residence.
The reports indicate that approximately 15 rounds of ammunition were discharged at the vehicle.
Adwoa Safo reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to her left ear and neck area and was subsequently taken for medical treatment. She is reported to be in stable condition.
However, lawyer for the Kristo Asafo Church, Nana Kofi Kantanka, has presented a different account of the incident.
According to him, Adwoa Safo arrived at the venue and attempted to force her vehicle through the southern gate of the palace. He alleged that after failing to gain entry, she moved to the northern gate and repeated the attempt.
“We realized that it was Honorable Sarah Adwoa Safo who was in the car. Since she couldn’t penetrate the gate through with the car, she moved to the northern gate and repeated the same action,” he said.
Kantanka further alleged that Adwoa Safo fired the first shot before striking the gate with her vehicle.
“The information I got was that she fired the first shot and then banged the gate with her car,” he stated.
According to the church‘s legal representative, private security personnel responded by firing warning shots because they believed people gathered at the premises were in danger.
“The private security also knew that the lives of people were at risk, so they were giving warning shots,” he said.
The Ghana Police Service has since reinforced security at the palace and launched an investigation into the incident.
Police have retained the vehicle involved, bearing registration number GN 3482-24, for forensic examination to determine the origin and trajectory of the shots fired.
The investigation is being handled by the Madina Divisional Command, with support from the Criminal Investigation Department.
Authorities have also arrested six individuals in connection with the shooting.
Police have not disclosed any suspects or motives and say investigations remain ongoing.
The Kristo Asafo Church has separately announced plans to conduct its own internal investigation into the incident.
According to the church’s lawyer, any person found to have engaged in wrongdoing will face prosecution.
The shooting is the latest development in a succession dispute that has intensified since the death of Apostle Emeritus Kwadwo Safo in September 2025.
Disagreements among relatives and supporters over who should lead the Kristo Asafo Mission have resulted in legal challenges, including court action seeking to halt the installation of Nana Kwadwo Safo Akofena.
