President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says he has resolved to give former First Lady Theresa Kufuor a state funeral on Thursday, November 16.
He said without recourse to what could be in the protocol books designed for deceased former Ghana First Ladies, he has taken the decision to give the second First Lady of the Fourth Republic a “whole state funeral”.
“It is an appreciation of my regard for her and I have the power and I will exercise it,” President Akufo-Addo stressed, adding that “she deserves it. . a verified and dignified woman”.
The President made this known on Tuesday, October 10 when members of the bereaved family led by former diplomat DK Osei called on him to formally inform him about the death of Mrs Kufuor.
Family Spokesperson PK Mensah said the funeral rites will begin in Accra on Thursday, November 16 and end in Kumasi on Saturday, November 18.
Before that, the one-week observance will be held on Wednesday, October 11.
President Akufo-Addo expressed availability not only for the state burial service in Accra, but also for the final funeral rites in Kumasi.
He said he had known Mrs Kufuor since 1961 and her brother, JH Mensah, was his “mentor” in politics.
President Akufo-Addo disclosed that on the day of death, he had gone to visit former President John Agyekum Kufuor at his Peduase residence to discuss some personal matters.
Madam Theresa Aba Kufuor, nee Mensah, died on Sunday, October 1.
She became the First Lady of Ghana from January 7, 2001 to January 6, 2009.
She succeeded Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and was succeeded by Naadu Mills.
Upon her death, President Akufo-Addo declared that all Ghana flags across the nation and in the country’s missions abroad fly at half-mast for seven days. This ended on Sunday, October 9.