‘It was love at sight’ — John Kumah’s widow

Lilian Owusu, widow of the late Ejisu Member of Parliament John Kumah, has shared how she met her new husband, describing the encounter as “love at first sight.”

Speaking at a Thanksgiving service following their wedding, she provided insight into her journey after the passing of her late husband and the role of faith in guiding her decisions.

She said the meeting with her husband took place unexpectedly while attending church for business purposes. She had not met him before and did not anticipate that the encounter would lead to marriage.

“I believe in forward ever, backward never. I didn’t know him, and I had never met him anywhere. I was only here for business purposes, and it was love at first sight as soon as he saw me,” Mrs. Aryeetey (née Owusu) told attendees.

Reflecting on life after her late husband’s death, Lilian said she decided not to let grief determine her future. She relied on prayer and personal resolve to move forward.
“When you are crying, God gives you something to wipe your tears. I prayed and made up my mind to move forward. I won’t allow pain to cage me. I have a lot to do,” she explained.

She added that following the first anniversary of her late husband’s passing, she and her pastors engaged in prayer and fasting, seeking companionship and support.
“We prayed for a father, a man to comfort me, my children and my mother. God listened and responded by giving us a humble and kind man,” she said.

Lilian clarified that her new husband does not replace her late spouse but provides support as she continues her life journey. She noted that her decision to marry was influenced by his character, describing him as bold, hardworking, and visionary.

The testimony was well-received by attendees, who expressed gratitude for the outcome.

Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, her late husband, was a Member of Parliament for Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, a deputy minister for finance, and a lawyer.

During his tenure as deputy minister, he played a key role in shaping major government policies, including the E-Levy and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP).

Admitted to the Ghana Bar in 2013, Dr. Kumah passed away in the early hours of Thursday, March 7, 2024. He was a family man with six children and was married to Apostle Lilian Kumah, leaving a lasting legacy in both public service and his family life.