- Kwame Addo-Kufuor Jr laid to rest
- Tributes paid to former Ghana Chamber of Mines President
- Dignitaries attend burial service
His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Asante Kingdom, attended the funeral service of the late Kwame Sekyere Addo-Kufuor Jr, the former President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, on December 19, 2024. The solemn ceremony took place at St Cyprian’s Cathedral in Kumasi, where family, friends, and dignitaries gathered to honor the life of a man who left a significant mark on the country’s mining sector.
Kwame Sekyere Addo-Kufuor Jr, the first son of former Defence Minister Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor, passed away on November 28, 2024, following a brief illness. He was last publicly seen at the symposium, durbar, and dinner marking the 100th anniversary of the return of King Prempeh I, his maternal great-grandfather, to the Manhyia Palace.
The funeral was attended by several prominent figures, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Second Lady Samira Bawumia, Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chief of Staff Akosua Fremah Opare, and founder of the Movement for Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen. Also in attendance were Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the New Patriotic Party’s 2024 Vice Presidential candidate, and Minister for Land and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, among many others.
Tributes Pour In
The service featured emotional tributes from his family, classmates from Prempeh College, and mentor Sir Sam Jonah. The bereaved family shared heartfelt memories of a man they described as kind, loving, and deeply devoted to his family.
His parents expressed deep gratitude for the person their son had become. “As parents, we shall forever cherish his memory and never forget the joy he brought to our hearts and to the hearts of all those who had the pleasure of meeting him,” they said.
Kwame’s wife, Emilia, who was married to him for 20 years, spoke of the honor she felt in being his partner. Struggling to hold back tears, she shared, “It so happened that I was the woman chosen to be the other half of a gem like you and I am forever honoured that God found me worthy of this role. I do not think I will ever understand why God chose to call you at this time but the Sovereign Lord knows best, so I am comforted because I know you are safe in his arms.”
Kwame’s six children described him as a “true family man” who would do anything for his children. They recalled how, despite his deep love and care, he could also be stern when needed. “As the years passed, he became our confidant, someone we could trust with our most guarded thoughts. With his passing, we not only mourn the loss of a father but also the loss of someone who truly understood us, whose counsel and support we deeply cherished.”
Kwame’s brother, Kojo Agyekum-Kufuor, spoke about the strong bond they shared. Reflecting on their last meeting, he recalled, “We talked about the future, my recent trip to London, the impending elections, family projects, and made plans for Christmas. Kwame’s classmate from Prempeh, Oscar Fordjour, who sat across from us, insisted we go out to the foyer and take some pictures together. Those turned out to be my last pictures with Kwame. Nothing from that evening prepared any of us for the heartbreaking developments of the week that followed.”
Mentor Sir Sam Jonah, also paying tribute, described Kwame’s passing as a great loss not only to his family but also to the country’s mining industry. “Kwame’s death is a profound loss not only to his wife and children, his parents and siblings and all of us who loved him but also for the mining industry in Ghana, which he served so diligently. His contributions, leadership, and his example will not be forgotten,” Jonah said.
The Amanfoɔ 1983/1985 class group also paid tribute to Kwame, highlighting his generous financial assistance to members and seniors in need.
A Storied Life and Career
Kwame Sekyere Addo-Kufuor Jr was born in London in 1966 to Rosemary and Dr. Kwame Addo-Kufuor. He attended several schools in both London and Kumasi before enrolling at Prempeh College. He continued his education at the University of Ghana Business School and later trained as a Chartered Accountant at Prince Waterhouse in London.
Kwame returned to Ghana in 1997, where he began his career with Ashanti Goldfields Limited, rising through the ranks to become Vice President in charge of Corporate Affairs at AngloGold Ashanti Ghana Limited. He later worked with Newmont Africa before being elected President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines in 2016, where he served two terms. In 2021, he was elected the first President of the ECOWAS Federation of Chamber of Mines.
Kwame also founded RIS Mining Consult in early 2024, a firm that assists clients navigating the complexities of the mining industry. Throughout his life, he was known for his dedication to both his family and his work.
He leaves behind his wife Emilia, four children from their marriage, and two children from a previous relationship.
