On September 8, 2023, President John Agyekum Kufuor and his late wife, Theresa Kufuor, commemorated 61 years since they exchanged their wedding vows—a remarkable milestone that garnered widespread celebration.

However, the joyous occasion took a somber turn in the late hours of Sunday, October 1, 2023, with the heartbreaking news of the passing of former First Lady Theresa Kufuor.

Amidst mourning, it has become necessary to take a look at the love life of the former first gentleman and former first lady of the land.

GhanaWeb has stumbled upon a passage from an undisclosed book that chronicles the love story between the couple.

This unidentified book, particularly within its chapter titled "Between Faith and History," the online portal says vividly recounts John Agyekum Kufuor's romantic journey with Theresa, a journey that commenced on the streets of London.

Their initial encounter transpired during the commemoration of Ghana's transition to a republican status, at an event held in London.

“Of all these encounters, which Kufuor cherished in London and also at Oxford, none would be as lasting as the one with Theresa, a young Ghanaian lady he met in London on 1 July 1961 at the Ghana High Commission during an anniversary celebration of Ghana’s attainment of Republican status. Kufuor had completed law studies and this lady, who had studied Nursing in Edinburgh for four years, was going to the Oxford University Hospital to continue a Midwifery course.

“The coincidence tickled Kufuor but it also marked the beginning of their friendship. In conversation, it became clear that Theresa Mensah or Nee Mensah had lived in Kumasi previously and that her brother was the well-known economist J.H. Mensah,” the book snippet showed.

The book also delved into the romantic tale of how a young John Agyekum Kufuor fell in love with Theresa Kufuor, highlighting her culinary expertise along the way.

“From the first invitation to go out and the others that followed, Kufuor and Theresa settled in well in Oxford as students."

The book said "Theresa was friendly and supportive. Occasionally, she would prepare him Ghanaian food as they strengthened their friendship.

“’I realised I was in love with Theresa and so when I decided to do the right thing - to get married, I was convinced she was the right choice.'

“Quite quickly and to the amazement of many of his friends, Kufuor decided to marry Theresa within only two years of knowing her and when he was two years from finally leaving Oxford. The engagement was fixed for July 1962 at his mother's home near Muswell Hill and Barima Kwaku Adusei, an Asante royal who later became the King of Asante-Otumfuo Opoku Ware II was invited to preside over the ceremony. Two months later, the wedding took place at Bloomington Catholic Church opposite Harrods Department Store. After that, the couple returned to Oxford again for Kufuor to complete his studies.

“Because they would not be staying much longer in Oxford, they rented a flat in the fashionable Woodstock Road, near St. Anthony's College. On 6 September 1963, just a year after the wedding, Theresa gave birth to a son, John Addo Kwarbo Kufuor whom Kufuor named for his beloved uncle. Kufuor explained why things were moving so fast for him: ”I was too serious. I also wanted a focus. I just did not want to be distracted at all,” the book said.