African religious body commends Apostle Safo

General News of Saturday, 14 February 2015

Source: Graphic Online

Apostle Safo Kantanka

Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kantanka Group of Companies, Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo, has expressed disappointment in successive governments for failing to extend a hand of support for his technological innovations.

He said even though governments had over the years publicly pledged their support and desire to promote the products of the company, those pledges had not been translated into action.

“The country has got what it takes to be sufficient and independent without resting on the shoulders of foreign neighbours to develop,” he said.

He made the remarks when delegates from the Ecclesiastical Bishops and Leaders Conference for Africa (EBLCA) paid a visit to the Kantanka Group of Companies at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region last Wednesday.

EBLCA is a non-denominational and non-discriminatory conference of ministers of the Gospel and church leaders with a common faith and belief to build a fortified ecclesiastical front for Africa.

Dr Safo is known for his contribution to technological innovations.

Apostle Safo said, “people tell us that we are wasting our time because we won’t get anywhere, but we pay no attention to them. We rather make sure that we prove them wrong by meeting the targets that we set for ourselves.”

“The whites believed in themselves and got to where they are now. They are not different from us,” he added.

The General Secretary of Kantanka Group of Companies, Mr Owusu Badu, said one major challenge that confronted Great Kosa Automobile Company Limited was lack of patronage and promotion of its locally manufactured vehicles.

He said in some countries, the governments provided support to the growth of their automobile industries.

But in Ghana, he said, “we’ve spoken a lot but all to no avail; they always give promises but nothing is done.”

“We await the Ghana Standard Board (GSB) and the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA) to give us permit with serial numbers and other processing documents to sell our products on the market,” he added.

The Presiding Prelate of EBCLA, Bishop Dr James Obeng Nyantakyi, said it was the intention of the church to honour him with a Humanitarian Award in the upcoming global excellence award in African Mission for his frantic efforts towards the growth of Africa.

He said the church would link up with him by bringing individuals and students from East Africa and elsewhere to have first-hand information on practical work aside the theoretical aspect.

Professor Tony D Karbo, the Vice Chancellor of the Kayiwa International University in Kenya, expressed worry about the inability of the successive governments to support the Great Kosa Automobile Company Limited.

He said in some countries, projects such as that of Dr Apostle Safo attracted financial assistance from their governments in order to boost the automobile industry and economy.

For his part, the Vice Presiding Prelate of East Africa EBLCA, Bishop Dr Simeon Oyugi, said, “if Africa has people like Apostle Safo, Africa will move forward.”