Echoes of a Life Remembered

Celebrating a legacy of love and remarkable stories that inspire us to treasure every moment.

left line
family-image
right line
story banner image

Inventing with purpose: The legacy of Kwadwo Safo Kantanka in technology & social upliftment

Sep 16, 2025 | By: Ismail Akwei

Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, born on August 26, 1948, in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, was an entrepreneur, inventor, and pastor. He founded Kantanka Automobile, Ghana's first indigenous car manufacturer, and the Kristo Asafo Mission.


Kantanka dedicated his life to advancing science and technology to empower his people through innovation and faith.


Kwadwo Safo Kantanka displayed an early curiosity and talent for engineering. After his basic education, he studied engineering at the Ghana Technical Works Institute in Kumasi and gained practical experience as a welder at the Volta Aluminium Company. This combination of education and hands-on work set the stage for his future in innovation and manufacturing.


In 1969, he founded the Kristo Asafo Mission as a small prayer group, which evolved into an African-initiated church by 1971. Beyond spiritual work, the mission engaged in industrial activities, manufacturing electronics, agricultural tools, and vehicles that Kantanka Automobiles became known for. It emphasized the divine potential within every individual and promoted Africa's development through faith and technology.


Kwadwo Safo Kantanka is best known for founding Kantanka Automobile in 1994, which began producing vehicles tailored for African conditions by 1998. The company’s SUVs and pickup trucks exemplify self-reliance and innovation, showing that African-made products can compete with global brands.


Safo Kantanka, known as the "Father of the Poor and Needy" in Ghana, was dedicated to social empowerment. He supported vulnerable groups like widows, orphans, and the elderly, and initiated programs to combat illiteracy and poverty. His scholarships for bright but underprivileged female students helped hundreds graduate from Ghanaian universities.


He played a vital role in nurturing Ghana’s creative economy by combining faith, culture, and technology. His support for artists and professionals helped foster local talent and created new opportunities in entertainment and media. He also founded Kantanka TV to promote creative and religious content.


Safo Kantanka leaves a legacy of empowering others through innovation, self-sufficiency, and faith-based social change. His life serves as an example of using technology and community leadership to uplift an entire nation

Share on: