Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo has alleged that she nearly lost her life during a violent confrontation involving her brother, Israel Kwadwo Safo, popularly known as Akofena, amid a leadership dispute within the Kristo Asafo Mission.
Speaking on Accra-based Angel FM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, Adwoa Safo said she had gone to her brother’s residence to persuade him to suspend plans for his installation as head of the church following the contentious succession dispute.
According to her, she arrived at the residence alone, without any weapon, security escort or personal driver. Dressed casually in a T-shirt, shorts, slippers and a cap, she drove herself there hoping to resolve the matter peacefully. However, she alleged that the visit turned violent.
“I did not go to Akofena’s house armed. I carried no firearm, had no bodyguard or personal driver with me. I was simply dressed in a T-shirt, shorts, slippers and a cap, and I drove myself there. Instead of a peaceful meeting, I ended up fighting for my life,” she alleged.
The former Dome-Kwabenya MP also dismissed allegations that she carried a weapon during the incident, insisting such claims were false and inconsistent with her record in public office.
“I served as a Member of Parliament for 12 years, and throughout that time I was never linked to election violence or accused of brandishing a gun. It therefore makes no sense to suggest that I would suddenly pull a firearm at my own brother’s residence. False stories were spread to damage my reputation, but they did not succeed,” she said.
Ms Safo further alleged that Akofena was found with firearms and ammunition after his arrest and that additional weapons were later recovered during a search of his residence. She claimed investigators established that 48 bullets were fired at her vehicle during the confrontation.
“After Akofena was arrested, he was found with a gun and ammunition. Further searches at his residence uncovered additional weapons and bullets. That, to me, explains the level of violence that day and why as many as 48 bullets were fired at my vehicle,” she alleged.
The incident, she said, left her with pellet wounds to her neck, face, head and ear. She underwent multiple surgeries at the 37 Military Hospital before receiving further treatment at Bank Hospital and later in the United Kingdom.
Nine persons, including Akofena, have since been granted bail in the sum of GH¢500,000 each with two sureties by the Adenta Circuit Court.
The other accused persons are Tamaklo Safo Jehosaphat, Kwabena Safo, Benjamin Amoakwa Sam, Badu Enoch, Richard Ayitey, Gideon Safo, Nana Kwaku Afriyie and Kwadwo Safo Koomson.
They have been charged with five offences: use of offensive weapons, possession of firearms and ammunition without lawful authority, discharging firearms in a public place, engaging in prohibited vigilante group activities and causing unlawful damage. They have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
According to the prosecution’s facts, the incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2026, when armed men stationed at Akofena’s residence to provide security during his installation ceremony as heir to the Kristo Asafo Mission denied Adwoa Safo access to the house at Kwabenya.
The impasse escalated into gunfire, during which the former Minister for Public Procurement sustained gunshot wounds to the left side of her face, the back of her head, her left ear and her lower jaw.
Police investigations also established that the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado being used by Ms Safo was damaged during the incident.
Investigators further found that the nine accused persons were in possession of six Mossberg pump-action guns, three pistols, 33 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 42 AA cartridges, none of which was covered by a valid licence or permit.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of two additional pistols loaded with 20 live rounds concealed in a bag, as well as a third pistol loaded with 13 rounds. Police also retrieved 120 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 50 rounds of 40mm ammunition and 25 rounds of .45 calibre ammunition from a second house belonging to Akofena.
In his caution statement, Akofena admitted ownership of the ammunition recovered following his arrest on June 22, 2026, but denied any wrongdoing. He told police he had left the scene before the shooting began.
