Kwadwo Safo Kantanka
Kwadwo Safo Kantanka | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 26, 1948 Bekwai, Ashanti Region, Ghana |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Inventor, Pastor |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Known for | Founder of Kantanka Automobile and Kristo Asafo Mission |
| Website | kantankaautomobile |
Kwadwo Safo Kantanka (born August 26, 1948) is a Ghanaian entrepreneur, inventor, and pastor. He founded Kantanka Automobile, a Ghana-based automotive company, and the Kristo Asafo Mission, a religious and industrial organization.
Safo is known for his contributions to local manufacturing and technological innovation in Ghana, particularly through vehicles like the Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck, designed for African markets.[1][2]
Early life and education
[edit]Kwadwo Safo Kantanka was born on August 26, 1948, in Bekwai, Ashanti Region, Ghana. He reportedly always had passion for science and technology and grew up desiring to pursue and develop his talent in that space.[3] After completing basic education, he attended the Ghana Technical Works Institute in Kumasi, where he studied engineering, and later worked as a welder at the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) and other firms.[4][5]
Kristo Asafo Mission
[edit]In 1971, Safo founded the Kristo Asafo Mission, initially as a religious group. It later expanded into manufacturing electronics, agricultural tools, and automobiles.[5][3]
Kantanka Automobile
[edit]Safo established Kantanka Automobile in 1994 to produce vehicles suited for African conditions. The company began manufacturing in 1998, using locally sourced components for models like the Omama SUV and Onantefo pickup truck. Kantanka vehicles are assembled in Ghana and exported to West African countries, including Nigeria and Ivory Coast.[1][2][6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Kwadwo Safo: the man behind Ghana's top family business". CNN. 2016-07-27. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ a b "Meet the Ghanaian pastor driving Africa's car industry". New African Magazine. 2015-11-12. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ a b "Apostle Kwadwo Safo, the first inventor of made-in Ghana cars". GhScientific. 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "The Woes Of Apostle Dr. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka As Inventor". Modern Ghana. 2013-08-07. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ a b "About". Kristo Asafo Mission. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "Building an African vehicle". MyJoyOnline. 2015-02-01. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ "How Kantanka Automobiles is elevating the Made-in-Ghana brand". DW. 2025-04-04. Retrieved 2025-06-28.