You left an unbridgeable void in my life

-Ex-President Kufuor’s poignant tribute to Theresa

By Elvis DARKO, Accra

In a poignant tribute delivered at the funeral service for the late Mrs. Theresa Aba Kufuor, former President John Agyekum Kufuor reflected on the remarkable 62-year journey shared with his late wife.

The funeral, attended by dignitaries and well-wishers, provided a glimpse into the enduring love and shared experiences that defined the couple’s life together.

The love story of ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and Theresa Aba Kufuor commenced on July 1, 1961, at a ball at Battersea Town Hall in London, where they met, celebrating Ghana’s first anniversary as a republic.

Ex-President fondly recalled his first impressions of Mrs. Theresa Kufuor as a soft-spoken and well-mannered lady.

Their shared cultural tastes in art, music, and cinema led to their decision to marry at Brompton Oratory in Knightsbridge, London, on September 8, 1962.

As their family grew, with the addition of Chief, Nana Ama, Saah, Agyekum, and Kofi, Mrs. Theresa Kufuor stood as a pillar of strength during challenging times.

The unexpected coup d’état on January 13, 1972, disrupted their lives, leading to the imprisonment of ex-President Kufuor and other government officials.

Mrs. Theresa Kufuor, as a single parent during his absence, gave birth to their fifth and last child, Kofi, on June 16, 1972.

Despite the hardships of imprisonment, ex-President Kufuor credited Mrs. Theresa Kufuor’s strong, prayerful faith in God and disciplined personality for helping the family endure.

He acknowledged her role in keeping their hopes alive, providing support during visits, and contributing to his survival during the 15-month incarceration.

After his release, Mrs. Theresa Kufuor returned to nursing at Cocoa Clinic, rising to the position of the clinic’s first-ever matron.

Ex-President Kufuor emphasized that his wife’s commitment to the marriage and her role as a loving wife and caring home-maker continued to shape their family.

As ex-President Kufuor entered public service and later became President in the Fourth Republic of Ghana, Mrs. Theresa Kufuor played a pivotal but quiet role in shaping key social interventions.

Role in shaping key social interventions

These include including the kindergarten stage for all the children of Ghana in the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy; the provision of one hot meal a day to primary school children across the nation; the launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme; and the introduction of free maternal care for all.

Ex-President Kufuor concluded his tribute with gratitude for the blessings and mercies received during their 62-year journey.

He expressed thanks for the gift of Mrs. Theresa Kufuor as his life partner and found solace in the many cherished memories they created together.

On his part, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed deep sorrow as he mourned the passing of Mrs. Theresa Kufuor.

The news of her demise was delivered to President Akufo-Addo during a visit to the residence of the former President in Peduase on the night of Sunday, October 1.

Reflecting on the encounter with former President Kufuor, President Akufo-Addo shared the somber news that Mrs. Theresa Kufuor had passed away that morning.

The news, while saddening, prompted reflections on the inevitability of human mortality.

President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to providence for the crossing of their lives and acknowledged that Mrs. Theresa Kufuor fought a good fight and deserved the victor’s crown.

Describing her life as well-lived, he recognized her role as a devoted companion to ex-President Kufuor during their 61 years of marriage.

Affectionately known as Mama Theresa, she played an invaluable role in providing advice, encouragement, and prayers to President Kufuor.

Hailing from a well-known family with ties to Odumase in the Bono Region and Bantama in Kumasi, she was politically astute and contributed significantly to her husband’s political success.

President Akufo-Addo praised Mrs. Theresa Kufuor’s composure, articulateness, and linguistic abilities, noting her fluency in several languages, including Ewe.

He emphasized the dignity she brought to the position of First Lady during President Kufuor’s tenure.

Expressing condolences, President Akufo-Addo extended sympathies to President Kufuor, their children, grandchildren, and the entire family on their irreplaceable loss.

He described her warmth, kindness, and grace as exceptional qualities and expressed that she would be dearly missed by his wife, Rebecca, the First Lady, their family, and himself.

President Akufo-Addo concluded the tribute by wishing Mrs. Theresa Kufuor a peaceful place of abode in the Bosom of the Almighty, deserving of her stature, until the Last Day of the Resurrection when they would all meet again.

The heartfelt message closed with an “Amen” signifying a collective prayer for peace for the departed soul.

Mrs. Theresa Kufuor’s departure, while leaving an unbridgeable void, also brought a sense of peace and fulfillment to a life well-lived.

In the words of the Apostle Paul, he noted, “You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith.”

Mother and Child Community Development Foundation

Mrs. Theresa Kufuor’s contributions extended beyond the family to community development.

She founded the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation, supporting early childhood development programmes and building schools for communities in Nyanyanor, Kotobabi, and Amansaman.

Her Foundation built three schools and gifted them to communities in Nyanyanor in the Central Region, and in Kotobabi and Amansaman in Accra.

Through her Foundation, she also provided a breast cancer screening unit to a health-care services provider in Sunyani and she assisted bakers in Nsawam and Adoagyiri with baking equipment.

She established a phone-in counselling centre to support and combat the stigmatisation of HIV/Aids patients.

Remarkably, Mrs. Theresa Kufuor rendered all her community action-based services without seeking any publicity.

A devout Catholic and chorister of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra, Mrs. Theresa Kufuor received recognition from Pope Benedict XVI, who bestowed upon her the prestigious Papal award of Dame of St Gregory the Great.

The funeral, heralded by a requiem mass at the Christ the King Catholic Church, Cantonments, Accra, attracted thousands of mourners, some from outside the country.

Dignitaries

The dignitaries included President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Second Lady Mrs Samira Bawumia, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

Others were former President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Mrs Lordina Mahama, Vice-President of Liberia H.E. Jewel Cianeh Taylor, former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom. 

Also present were Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Chief of Staff Mrs Frema Osei Opare, some members of Parliament and government officials, Mr Alan Kojo Kyerematen, the former Trade Minister and Presidential Candidate for Movement For Change group, and traditional authorities.

The atmosphere at the funeral was a mixture of sorrow and gratitude as well wishers and mourners reflected on the unwavering commitment of the former First Lady to her family, friends and the nation.

Mourners from diverse backgrounds filed past her mortal remains amid the paying of tributes.

Described as a disciplinarian who instilled the fear of God in her children, Mrs. Kufuor’s influence extended beyond her immediate family, leaving an indelible mark on the nation.

Tribute by children

Her eldest child, John Addo Kwabo, also known as Chief, expressed gratitude for her kind advice, prayers, and calm presence, especially during challenging times.

He acknowledged her role as a disciplinarian and emphasized the impact of her guidance on their lives.

Chief bid his mother farewell, expressing the hope that she would sleep soundly in the bosom of the Lord.

Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, First Lady of Ghana, delivered a tribute on behalf of the State, highlighting Mrs. Theresa Kufuor’s optimism and unwavering support for her husband’s political endeavors.

She particularly noted Mrs. Kufuor’s advocacy for the implementation of UNESCO’s Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education Programme (FCUBE) for kindergarten children in 2007, which resulted in government white paper on educational reforms.

“Rest well Mrs. Theresa Kufuor, you will forever be in our hearts,” Mrs. Akufo-Addo concluded.

During the funeral service, wreaths were laid on behalf of the government, the family, Mrs. Kufuor’s children, the clergy, traditional authorities, and the Mother and Child Foundation.

The casket, draped in the national colors, was carried by personnel of the Ghana Air Force.

Mrs. Theresa Kufuor’s body has been taken to Kumasi for final funeral rites before a private burial scheduled for November 18, 2023.

Born on October 25, 1935, in Kumasi to the late Joseph Henry Mensah Senior and Rose Mensah, she was the seventh of ten children.

Mrs. Theresa Kufuor passed away on October 1, 2023, at the age of 87. The nation joins in mourning her loss and celebrating a life of impact and service.