Memory of Our Dear Mrs. Theresa Kufuor
“Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei.” Grant them eternal rest, Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them. Amen.
Today, as we gather to bid a solemn farewell to a truly exceptional woman, my wife, Lisa and I find ourselves struggling to adequately express the depth of our admiration and respect for her. Her passing leaves a void in our hearts, but her legacy of compassion, service, and selflessness lives on.
My personal connection to Aunty Theresa traces its roots back to my relationship with her son, Chief Kufuor during our time at Prempeh College and when later in life I had the distinct honor and privilege of working with her husband, H.E John Agyekum Kufuor during his quest to become leader of our Party and later as President of our country. That was the beginning of a bond that has lasted over the years. In 2008, I had the distinct privilege of accompanying her on a personal trip to South Africa, an experience that etched her indelibly in my heart. As we interacted during our journey, I witnessed firsthand her depth of knowledge, particularly on matters of health.
I marvelled at the wealth of insights she readily shared. It was a profound exchange of ideas and values that left a lasting mark on my understanding of service and commitment. A poignant testament to her humility and modesty was her approach during our trip to South Africa. Despite her distinguished status as the First Lady of Ghana, accompanied by all the privileges and security measures at her disposal, she chose to decline all diplomatic assistance and security because she considered it a purely personal trip and therefore the State had no business incurring cost on her behalf.
She preferred to live the life of an ordinary visitor. It was only upon the arrival of President Kufuor in South Africa that the Ghana High Commission in South Africa, the management of the hotel and South African political authorities realized that the First Lady of Ghana had been present in their midst for about two weeks. The waiters and staff at the hotel with whom she interacted freely and started picking some Zulu and Xhosa idioms as she was good with languages as I discerned were dumbfounded when they realised the identity of their visitor. On another occasion, I was standing in front of my office at Global Media Alliance at West Airport with a friend from Nigeria.
Whilst driving past in her car, she saw me. The car stopped, she had a brief chat with me and drove off. When I told my friend, that is our First Lady, he let out a huge exclamation and, for years, talked about this experience in Ghana. He was gobsmacked. The First Lady driving without any security or escort and in a car with only her driver. This exemplified her modesty that endeared her not only to me but to many.
Aunty Theresa’s tireless efforts in advancing the cause of maternal and child healthcare were truly transformative. She championed a policy that provided free childbirth care, a measure that not only alleviated the financial burden on families but also significantly reduced maternal and child mortality rates in our nation. Her compassion knew no bounds, and her vision for a healthier, happier Ghana was very inspiring. I thank her for the opportunity she gave me to work on some of her programs and the opportunity to learn from her.
What made Aunty Theresa even more remarkable was not just her works but her humility, modesty, and steadfast commitment to the people of Ghana. Despite holding one of the highest offices in the land, she remained grounded, approachable, and always willing to listen and learn. I firmly believe that her support and invaluable counsel significantly contributed to the success of her husband, President John Agyekum Kufuor, before becoming leader of the country and thereafter.
She was indeed the steadfast pillar upon whom he rested and a constant source of strength. She was also renowned for her exceptional listening skills.
As we bid our final farewell, let us reflect on the wisdom of Proverbs 31:
“A woman of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
Ghana has lost a true gem, and her memory shall forever remain in our hearts.
Rest in eternal peace, our dear Aunty Theresa. Your light will continue to guide our path.
Nyame mfa wo kra nsie! Until we meet again!
Amb. Edward Boateng & Lisa