Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has been described as a transformative First Lady whose tenure from 1981 to 2001 reshaped the role into a platform for national development.
Her leadership of the 31st December Women’s Movement (31st DWM), founded in 1982, became a powerful vehicle for grassroots mobilisation, particularly in empowering women economically, socially, and politically.
Women Empowerment and Development Initiatives:
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The 31st DWM established cooperatives and micro-credit schemes that enabled rural women to engage in income-generating activities such as gari processing, soap making, weaving, and farming.
These initiatives improved household income and promoted financial independence.
The movement also supported small-scale enterprises, integrated women into formal and informal economies, and advocated for women’s rights, including property ownership, inheritance, and protection against domestic violence.
In healthcare, the 31st DWM facilitated the establishment of community clinics, maternal health education, child immunisation, and family planning programmes.
It also initiated sanitation and water projects and built pre-schools and day-care centres to support early childhood development and enable mothers to work.
Political Mobilisation and Cultural Advocacy:
The movement raised political consciousness among women, encouraging civic participation and representation in public life.
It served as a bridge between government and citizens, amplifying women’s voices in policy discussions.
The 31st DWM also promoted Ghanaian culture and traditional crafts, linking them to economic opportunities for women.
Criticisms and Controversies:
Despite her achievements, Nana Konadu’s tenure attracted criticism over her influence in governance and leadership style.
Some perceived her as wielding excessive power, overshadowing formal government structures.
Critics cited the centralised leadership of the 31st DWM and questioned its internal democracy.
Allegations of conflict of interest and lack of transparency in business dealings during the privatisation era also surfaced, though no legal wrongdoing was proven.
Her post-presidency political ambitions, including her 2011 bid for the NDC presidential nomination and the formation of the National Democratic Party (NDP), were viewed by some as divisive.
Concerns were also raised about the accountability of the 31st DWM, given its access to state resources and its quasi-governmental role.
Legacy:
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings remains a prominent and complex figure in Ghana’s history.
Her contributions to women’s empowerment and national development are widely acknowledged, even as debates continue over her political influence and leadership approach.
Her legacy reflects the challenges of balancing activism, influence, and accountability within informal but powerful roles in governance.
Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, where she was receiving treatment. Accra.
She was 76years
GNA
