Vice President Dr. Bawumia with the delegation at the late Theresa Kufuor’s residence
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia yesterday joined dignitaries from various sectors at the residence of former President John Agyekum Kufuor to pay his respect to former First Lady, Theresa Kufuor.
Among the dignitaries were Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare; National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah; former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Aaron Oquaye; and a member of the National Cathedral Board, Joyce Aryee; as well as MP for Asokwa, Patricia Apiagyei.
Some of the people were “very emotional” signing a book of condolence at the ex-President’s Peduase residence in the Eastern Region.
Books of condolence have opened following the former First Lady’s death at the age of 86 on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
Several people visited Tuesday to sign the book and one visitor described the late Mrs. Theresa Kufuor as a “candle light” for her husband and the country, promoting peace and unity.
Prof. Mike Oquaye said the former First Lady gave her husband the peace of mind to rule the country, noting, “The peace that she gave transcended all areas. She deserves to rest in perfect peace.”
Former Chief of Staff, Kwadwo Mpiani said the loss had really hit people hard, noting that the late Theresa served as a mother to all manner of people, including himself.
“She and Prof. Nyame built the Cocoa Clinic. She is one of the few Ashantis who speak Ewe fluently because of the school she attended so she united all of us. We have lost a great mother,” he asserted.
Theresa Kufuor after a prolonged illness and is survived by her husband, ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and five children.
Half-Mast Flags
Meanwhile, the government has ordered that all flags in Ghana and its diplomatic missions be flown at half-mast beginning Monday, October 1, 2023, in memory of the late former First Lady.
The flags will be flown at half-mast until Sunday, October 8, 2023, according to President Akufo-Addo.
The government stated in a statement signed by the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, that Mrs. Kufuor led a life of compassion, steadfast dedication, and selfless service to the people of Ghana.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to President J. A. Kufuor and the family as we collectively mourn the loss of a remarkable woman, who touched the hearts of many,” the statement said.
Mrs. Kufuor, born Theresa Mensah on October 25, 1935, spent the majority of her working life in the United Kingdom following her studies at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford and Paddington General Hospital in London.
After meeting at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in London in 1961, she married former President Kufuor for 61 years and served as First Lady from 2001 to 2009.
By Ernest Kofi Adu