In a somber turn of events, it has been confirmed that Theresa Kufuor, the beloved wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has passed away at the age of 87.
The news of her demise broke on Sunday, October 1, as she peacefully departed this world at her residence in Peduase, surrounded by her loving family.
President Nana Akufo-Addo wasted no time in extending his condolences, visiting the residence of former President Kufuor to pay his respects to the grieving family.
Theresa Kufuor, born on October 25, 1935, was not just the wife of Ghana’s second President of the Fourth Republic but also held the esteemed position of First Lady of Ghana. Before her marriage to John Kufuor, she had a distinguished career as a retired nurse and midwife.
Her educational journey began at the Catholic Convent, OLA, in Keta, Volta Region, Ghana. Later, she pursued her nursing education in London, where she became a Registered General Nurse in the Southern Hospital Group of Nursing, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Further studies took her to the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, and Paddington General Hospital, London, where she achieved the status of a State Certified Midwife with a Certificate in Premature Nursing.
Theresa Kufuor and John Kufuor’s love story began when they met at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in London in 1961. The couple tied the knot in 1962 and went on to become parents to five children and proud grandparents of eight. Mrs. Kufuor was a devout Roman Catholic throughout her life.
Despite her prominent role as Ghana’s First Lady for eight years from 2001 to 2009, Theresa Kufuor managed to maintain a relatively low profile in the political arena. However, she did not shy away from championing causes close to her heart.
In 2007, she fervently advocated for policy changes in the Government’s white paper on Educational Reforms, aiming to implement UNESCO’s Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) program for kindergarten children.
In addition to her advocacy work, Mrs. Kufuor founded the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation (MCCDF), a non-governmental organization that operated in both Ghana and Canada. The foundation focused on supporting efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of diseases.
Ghana mourns the loss of a remarkable woman, whose legacy in healthcare and social causes will be remembered for generations to come. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Kufuor family during this difficult time.
