Theresa Kufuor’s Death an Irreplaceable Loss- Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has described the death of former First Lady Theresa Kufuor as an irreplaceable loss for former President John Agyekum Kufuor and family.

In a tribute on Monday, the country’s head of State who is reported to have been present with Mr Kufuor at the time of her demise condoled with him in a social media message.

“We extend our deepest condolences to President Kufuor, their children, grandchildren, and members of their family on. We wish her a peaceful place of abode in the Bosom of the Almighty, as she deserves, until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again.”

In his tribute to Mrs Kufuor who maintained a low-profile during the political endeavor of her husband, Nana Addo said he was “saddened” by the news and would miss her.

“My wife, Rebecca, the First Lady, and I will miss her a lot.”

“Mama Theresa, as she was affectionately called, was a devoted companion of President Kufuor throughout their sixty-one (61) years of marriage. She was an invaluable and constant source of advice, encouragement and prayers for him. Member of a well-known family from Odumase, in the Bono Region, sister of the renowned statesman, the late J.H Mensah, and aunt of President Kufuor’s Secretary, the brilliant diplomat, Ambassador D.K Osei, she was politically astute, and was a major contributor to her husband’s political success.

“She was a composed and articulate First Lady, polyglot, fluent in several languages including Ewe, who brought great dignity to the position. I knew several members of her family, especially her celebrated brother, and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know her too. Her warmth, kindness and grace were exceptional. She bore the vicissitudes of life with great stoicism and an unshakable belief in the sovereignty of Almighty God.”

In a separate post, Ghana’s current First lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo said she led an ideal life both as a First Lady and in Private life.

“My deepest condolences to Former President H.E John Agyekum Kufuor, the family, and friends, in these difficult times. Auntie Theresa led an exemplary life both privately and as First Lady. May her soul rest in peace.”

Mrs Kufuor died at age 87 at her residence in Peduase in the Eastern Region surrounded by her family, reports say.

Her death was reported on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

The former midwife began her education at the Catholic Convent, OLA, in Keta in the Volta Region of Ghana. She furthered her studies to become a Registered General Nurse in the Southern Hospital Group of Nursing, in Edinburgh in Scotland.

After further study at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and Paddington General Hospital, London, she qualified as a State Certified Midwife with a Certificate in Premature Nursing.

She married Mr Kufuor in 1961 and became Ghana’s second First Lady in the fourth Republic between 2001 and 2009.