Lawyer for the Kristo Asafo Church, Nana Kofi Kantanka, has alleged that Sarah Adwoa Safo fired the first shot during a shooting incident that reportedly left the former Dome-Kwabenya Member of Parliament (MP) injured.

The incident occurred in Kwabenya and disrupted a ceremony organised by the Kristo Asafo Mission to introduce Israel Kwadwo Safo as the church's newly appointed leader, a claim Adwoa Safo disputes. 

Nana Kofi Kantanka told Joy News on June 21 that Adwoa Safo arrived at the venue and attempted to force her way through the gates with a vehicle. He said she first tried to enter through the southern gate before moving to the northern gate and repeating the attempt. He added that attendees initially mistook the sound of the vehicle striking the gate for gunfire.

Additionally, Nana Kofi Kantanka alleged that Adwoa Safo fired the first shot, per information he received, after which private security personnel responded with warning shots because they believed people gathered at the event were at risk.

He said he could not confirm reports that Adwoa Safo had been injured during the incident.

The lawyer also rejected claims that she had been denied entry, stating that she would have been allowed access had she followed normal entry procedures.

He said the matter is under investigation by state security agencies and that the church would conduct its own inquiry, adding that anyone found to have committed wrongdoing would be prosecuted.

His comments follow reports that Adwoa Safo is receiving medical treatment after gunmen allegedly opened fire on her vehicle near the residence of her younger brother, Israel Kwadwo 'Akofena' Safo.

According to eyewitnesses who were helping direct vehicles at the introduction ceremony, Adwoa Safo arrived at the venue at speed in the company of her security guard, and a firearm was later seen protruding from her Toyota Prado SUV. They alleged that she rammed the gates before gunfire was heard. The witnesses said they did not see who fired the shots and added that Adwoa Safo drove away from the scene "without any hurt" even though her vehicle had bullet holes in them.