Theresa Aba Kufuor’s (née Mensah) biography
The oldest two departed in 1982, and the third followed a year later. Currently, Mrs. Kufuor is providing for her family on two continents. She went out on her own after leaving the Cocoa Clinic.
When it was agreed in 1992 that Ghana would resume democratic governance, Theresa poured herself into her husband’s campaign, lending her full support. She attended rallies, expanded her network, and made effective use of her proficiency in the local tongue. She was also fluent in Ga She supported her husband both when he accepted President Rawlings’ offer of resignation and when he secured the nomination to head the New Patriotic Party in the 1996 presidential contest.
He ran again in 2000, and on January 7, 2001, when John Kufuor took the oath of office as president, she was named the First Lady.
Theresa politely took on the role of mother to the country despite her dislike of the spotlight. Since she was a nurse, she chose to concentrate on problems that affected the lives of women and children, such as the need to mentor and train young women for careers, community-run childcare centers, pre-school facilities, and microbusiness ventures that would result in long-term self-sufficiency. Despite her hectic schedule, she routinely attended Mass at Christ the King and was frequently spotted singing in the choir, which she had joined in 1995.
To help mothers and children in underprivileged communities, Mrs. Kufuor founded the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation, a non-governmental organization. Among her accomplishments is the founding of development centers in impoverished parts of Accra, like Kotobabi and Amasaman. She supported training in the production of soap, clothing, and shea butter in places like Kumasi, Koforidua, and the three northern regions at the time. She also helped Sunyani General Hospital acquire and install a mammography machine.
In Nsawam, the Foundation also constructed and furnished a bakery.
She spoke nonstop on the need to create goals for care, support, treatment, and prevention in order to slow the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa. She took many trips, both domestically and abroad, both with and without her spouse.