The Untold Innovations of Safo Kantanka - Did Ghana Fail to Celebrate Him Enough?
- Safo Kantanka, the “Star of Africa,” passed away on September 14, 2025, leaving behind groundbreaking work in automobiles, aircraft, electronics, entertainment, and agriculture
- His Kristo Asafo Concert Party nurtured top Ghanaian talents like Akrobeto and Mercy Asiedu, while his vast farms promoted self-sufficiency and development
- Media personality Ivy Prosper believes Ghana failed to celebrate him enough and insists his family must keep his legacy alive
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The late Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, the veteran Ghanaian innovator and entrepreneur who founded Kantanka Automobile, was confirmed dead on September 14, 2025, leaving behind a void and a legacy that makes him a true legend.
Source: Facebook
Emeritus Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, known as the “Star of Africa,” had a vision that went far beyond just building cars. He built aircraft, military-grade machines, unique electronic devices, and even home appliances long before such innovations became known in Ghana.
Regardless of his extraordinary work, many argue that his efforts and creativity did not earn the full recognition they deserved. While his automobile innovations gained some attention, a large part of his work remained undermined, underappreciated, and eventually faded out.
Some believe Ghana failed to support, patronise, and celebrate the man who dreamed of making the nation a hub of innovation. Others believe his vision was simply ahead of its time.
Long before Safo Kantanka became popular for his automobile innovations, he used his Kristo Asafo Church to inspire innovation, entertainment, and creativity
The Kristo Asafo Concert Party gained recognition for nurturing some of Ghana's most notable movie acts, blending drama, music, and moral lessons to educate society.
Popular Kumawood actor Akrobeto and actress Mercy Asiedu are both products of the Kristo Asafo Concert Party.
A video of Akrobeto and Mercy Asiedu performing at the Kristo Asafo concert is below:
Safo Kantanka was an artist across many fields. Beyond technology and entertainment, he was also deeply rooted in agriculture.
He owned vast farms that not only supplied food but also promoted self-sufficiency.
He consistently campaigned for farming as a tool for development, with the belief that science, faith, and agriculture could work hand in hand.
Still, despite his unprecedented work in automobiles, entertainment, and agriculture, many believe that his contributions did not get the attention they deserved.
His demise has sparked debate over whether Ghana truly celebrated this man enough or whether he was simply too far ahead of his time.
Ivy Prosper reflects on Kantanka’s missed recognition
YEN.com.gh held a discussion with popular media personality, seasoned TV host, producer, writer, and speaker Ivy Prosper, who shared her thoughts on the viral conversations about Safo Kantanka not getting the accolades he deserved before passing.
She described the veteran’s impact on the nation as significant and stated that he should have been celebrated more for his technological contributions:
“His impact on Ghana is big, and he should have been celebrated more for his tech contributions to this country. I only hope that he patented some of his ideas to pass on to his family. His legacy will be in the value of showing Ghana that we can manufacture our own products in this country.”
The seasoned TV host also emphasised that Safo Kantanka should have been celebrated more while alive, not after his passing, and even hoped to land an interview with him, but it didn't materialise.
She added that the media would now give him the attention he needed to push his innovations and stressed that keeping his legacy alive depends on his family.
“I think he should have been celebrated more. I even wanted to interview him, but it didn't come to pass. Now that he is gone, I am sure that the Ghanaian media will be talking about him non-stop. People don't speak much about his work in agriculture. I think that's an aspect of his legacy that can be highlighted. It will be up to his family to keep his legacy alive. I hope his family keeps the businesses running and doesn’t allow them to collapse after his death.”
She concluded, “I'm not sure if the next generation is aware of all he did during his lifetime. To be honest, I'm not sure.”
Source: Instagram
Ivy Prosper's background in media
Ivy Prosper is a media personality who worked as a TV Presenter/Host and reporter. She is known from the documentary series, Maternal Health Channel, in 2012 and 2013, which earned her a nomination for Host of the Year in Ghana’s Radio & Television Personality Awards.
Ivy Prosper is known for her wide audience and YouTube content, where she covers fashion, lifestyle, health, inspiring women’s stories, and connections with the diaspora world.
She is the founder of Prosper Creative Group, a media company focusing on content creation, social media, and consulting.
She has interviewed global icons, including Idris Elba, Jake Gyllenhaal, Akon, Chris Rock, Melanie Fiona, Russell Peters, Ghanaian stars like Ruff ‘n’ Smooth, and many more.
Source: Instagram
Sarkodie honours Kantanka’s legacy with heartfelt tribute
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that Ghanaian musician Sarkodie penned an emotional tribute to the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka.
Sarkodie described how the great leader and iconic innovator had contributed to the Ghanaian economy and industries.
Some social media users reacted to BET winner Sarkodie’s emotional post, which he shared on the X platform.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
