Despite the somber atmosphere surrounding the funeral of former First Lady Theresa Kufuor, an unexpected and light-hearted moment unfolded as ex-President Kufuor exchanged pleasantries with dignitaries at the State House in Accra.
In a brief interaction with former President John Mahama, Kufuor extended a warm handshake and, with a smile, turned to his wife, asking, “Which pretty girl is that?” The former First Lady smiled back and greeted him, while the former President Mahama chuckled at the remark. They exchanged some more conversation and Mahama moved on.
You can watch the video of the encounter here.
The state funeral for the former First Lady, Theresa Aba Kufuor, took place at the forecourt of the State House on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
The funeral rites will continue in Kumasi on November 18, after which she will be laid to rest the same day. This will be followed by a thanksgiving service on Sunday, November 19, 2023.
In his tribute to his late wife, former President Kufuor described her as his devoted companion of 61 years of marriage. He recounted how they met in London in 1961 and got married in 1962.
He praised her for being a pillar in his long journey to becoming the president and for playing a pivotal but quiet role in shaping key social interventions during his tenure. He also thanked God for giving him Theresa and expressed his hope to meet her again in the afterlife.
Theresa Kufuor, who was born on October 25, 1935, died on October 1, 2023, at the age of 87 at her home at Peduase in the Eastern Region.
She was a nurse and midwife who dedicated her life to the service of humanity and the Catholic Church. She was also the founder of the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation (MCCDF), a non-governmental organisation that supports the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. She was a mother of five, a grandmother of eight, and a sister of the renowned statesman, the late J.H Mensah.
She was honoured with a Papal Award of Dame of St Gregory the Great for her commitment to the plight of poor children and their mothers. She also contributed to Ghana’s growth and development through her advocacy for free compulsory universal basic education (FCUBE) for kindergarten children amongst other timeless policies that are still in place.