The National Democratic Congress (NDC) known for its political rivalry with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has set aside differences to offer condolences to former President Kufuor’s family and the NPP at large.
The late Mrs. Theresa Kufuor, the former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, died on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at the age of 87. She was the wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who served as the head of state from 2001 to 2009.
The NDC, in their statement, extended heartfelt sympathy to the entire family of the former First Lady, placing special emphasis on the children and former President John Agyekum Kufuor. The loss of Mrs. Theresa Kufuor is not only a personal tragedy for the family but also marks the end of an era in Ghanaian politics.
The statement, signed by Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, the General Secretary of the NDC, said: “We hold fond memories of Madam Theresa’s service to the nation as First Lady during the period when HE John Agyekum Kufuor served as President of the Republic of Ghana from 2001 to 2009.”
“We pray that God will comfort the family during these challenging times. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate this period of grief,” the statement added.
According to sources close to the family, Mrs Kufuor passed away peacefully at her home in Peduase, surrounded by her loved ones. She is survived by her husband, five children, and several grandchildren.
Mrs Kufuor was born on October 25, 1935, in Koforidua, Eastern Region. She was the last born of her parents and the younger sister of the late NPP stalwart, J.H. Mensah. She attended the Catholic Convent in Keta and later studied nursing in Oxford and London. She married Mr Kufuor in 1962, after meeting him at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in London in 1961.
As the First Lady of Ghana, Mrs Kufuor was admired for her warmth, kindness, and grace. She was a devout Catholic and a philanthropist who founded the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation (MCCDF) to support poor children and their mothers. She also advocated for free and compulsory basic education and championed women’s empowerment. She was awarded the Papal Award Dame of St Gregory the Great by the Catholic Church for her humanitarian service.
