Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has paid glowing tribute to his late wife, Theresa Aba Kufuor, as the country joined him for the funeral rites of the former First Lady at the forecourt of the State House in Accra, yesterday.
Speaking at the funeral held in honour of his late wife, former President Kufuor recalled how he was able to survive incarceration of 15 months largely because of his wife, whom he affectionately called Aba.
“She was a woman of sacrifice, devotion, humanity, and resilience,” parts of the tribute to his late wife read.
He said he was thrown into prison leaving his dear wife to care for their five children alone, adding that Madam Theresa’s ability to survive on the little and rescue the family from a near trauma “kept their hopes alive” and revealed the angel she was.
He continued that, “With her strong, prayerful faith in God, Aba’s spirit would not and could not be broken.”
President Akufo-Addo, who led state officials to pay their last respect to the former First Lady, expressed deep sadness at the departure of Madam Theresa Kufuor.
“Her passing reminds me keenly of human mortality, that is, that Almighty God will come for each and every one of us at the appropriate time. I am grateful to providence that our lives crossed. She fought a good fight, and deserves the victor’s crown. Hers was a life well-lived.
“Mama Theresa, as she was affectionately called by most people, Aba to me, was a devoted companion of President Kufuor throughout their 61 years of marriage. She was an invaluable and constant source of advice, encouragement and prayers for him,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the late Theresa Kufuor was member of a well-known family from Odumase, in the Bono Region, and Bantama in Kumasi, in the Ashanti 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.
“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. My wife, Rebecca, the First Lady, our family and I will miss her a lot,” he added.
Other dignitaries at the funeral included former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife Samira Bawumia, former President John Mahama and his wife Lordina Mahama, Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, and Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame as well as heads of state institutions, security agencies, religious bodies and private sector players.
Mrs. Kufuor peacefully passed away at her residence in Peduase, surrounded by her family, on October 1, 2023 at the age of 87.
As a mark of respect and to honour her memory, the final funeral rite will be held at the Heroes Park in Kumasi on November 18, 2023.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri