Former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has passed away at the age of 76.
According to family sources, Madam Konadu died in the early hours of Thursday at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, where she had been receiving treatment.
Nana Konadu, wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, served as Ghana’s First Lady from 1981 to 2001, making her the country’s longest-serving First Lady. She was widely known for her activism and strong advocacy for women’s empowerment through the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she founded in 1982 to promote literacy, health and economic opportunities for women across Ghana.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu Agyeman attended Achimota School and later the University of Science and Technology (now Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology), where she earned a degree in Art and Textiles. Her marriage to Jerry John Rawlings produced four children, including Member of Parliament Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.
Beyond her work as First Lady, she ventured into active politics. In 2012, she broke new ground by becoming the first woman to contest the Ghanaian presidency under the banner of the National Democratic Party (NDP), a political movement she founded after leaving the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
News of her passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, women’s groups and citizens across the country. Many have described her as a fearless, visionary and outspoken advocate who changed the face of women’s participation in Ghanaian politics.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings leaves behind a rich legacy of leadership, courage and service to Ghana.
