Former First Lady Theresa Kufuor has passed away at the age of 88, according to sources close to the family.
She reportedly passed away peacefully at her home in Peduase on the Aburi mountain on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
An official announcement of the death is expected on Monday, October 2.
Mrs Kufuor served as Ghana’s First Lady from January 7, 2001, to January 6, 2009.
Born on October 25, 1935, in Kumasi, Ghana, Theresa Kufuor devoted her life to serving her country and its citizens. She was known for her role as First Lady and as a highly respected figure in her own right. Throughout her years in public service, she passionately advocated for various social causes, focusing on healthcare, women’s empowerment, and education.
One of her enduring legacies was her dedication to improving healthcare in Ghana, particularly maternal and child health. Her efforts played a pivotal role in enhancing healthcare services and reducing maternal and child mortality rates in the country.
Mrs. Kufuor was also a staunch advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. She championed programs and policies aimed at advancing the status of women in Ghanaian society, inspiring countless women to pursue education, careers, and leadership roles, thereby fostering gender equality and women’s participation in the nation’s development.
Education held a special place in her heart, and she worked tirelessly to promote educational opportunities for all Ghanaians, regardless of their background. Her initiatives included promoting girl-child education and advocating for measures that expanded access to quality education throughout the nation.
Former First Lady Theresa Kufuor, a retired nurse and midwife, had been married to former President John Agyekum Kufuor for 61 years.
Theresa Kufuor began her education at the Catholic Convent in Keta, Volta Region, before pursuing her nursing career in the United Kingdom. She studied at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford and the Paddington General Hospital in London, where she became a Registered Nurse. Subsequently, she earned her State Certified Midwife qualification, along with a Certificate in Premature Nursing.
Before her marriage to John Kufuor, she was known as Theresa Mensah and was the youngest child in her family, with her elder brother being the late NPP stalwart, J.H. Mensah.
Theresa Kufuor and John Kufuor’s love story began when they met at a Republic Day Anniversary Dance in London in 1961, and they tied the knot in 1962. The couple had five children together.