Private legal practitioner Kwame Akufo says the will of the late Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka does not, by itself, appoint anyone as leader of the Kristo Asafo Mission.

His remarks follow claims that Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena was confirmed as the successor to the Kantanka Empire after the founder's will was read at the Accra High Court.

The reading of the will has renewed public interest in the succession of both the Kantanka Empire and the Kristo Asafo Mission.

Speaking to the media after the proceedings, Mr Akufo maintained that the will should not be interpreted as conferring leadership of the church on any individual.

"The will does not confer a leadership position on anybody. It speaks to a pool of people, but there is a point to be made there," he said.

He explained that the will had been signed before amendments were made to the church's constitution, making it necessary to consider the subsequent constitutional changes.

"This will was dated and signed before the amendment of the Constitution," he stated.

According to Mr Akufo, Israel Kwadwo Safo Akofena held a prominent position in the late founder's plans when the will was drafted.

"At the time that the will was written, Akofena was clearly a man who sat in the bowels of the man's heart," he said.

He added that Akofena was later appointed to exercise authority on behalf of the founder.

"Subsequently, Akofena was designated as an exerciser of the gentleman upon his person," he said.

Mr Akufo, however, argued that the founder later initiated constitutional changes that altered the succession arrangements.

"It was the same gentleman who initiated a repeal of that constitutional provision, and Akofena was removed as designated leader," he said.

He maintained that by the time Apostle Dr Kwadwo Safo Kantanka died, the constitutional position had changed from what existed when the will was signed.

"So by the time his father was dying, Akofena was not the designated leader of the church," he said.

Mr Akufo also criticised commentary surrounding the succession, saying some public interpretations had failed to take the constitutional amendments into account.

"It is unfortunate that people do not have the accurate information," he added.