Ghana’s Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Dies at 76

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Ghana is mourning the loss of its former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 76 after a short illness.

A prominent women’s rights advocate and political figure, Nana Konadu was the widow of Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving leader who died in 2020. The couple dominated Ghana’s political scene for decades, shaping the country’s transition from military rule to democracy.

Born in November 1948 in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu rose to prominence as First Lady after her husband first assumed power in 1979. Known for her charisma and determination, she became a driving force behind women’s empowerment through the establishment of the 31st December Women’s Movement, a nationwide initiative that taught women economic and leadership skills.

Her activism influenced key national reforms, including the 1989 inheritance law protecting women and children, and gender equality provisions in the 1992 Constitution, which paved the way for Ghana’s return to multiparty politics.

In 2012, she made history as the first woman to seek a presidential nomination within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), though she eventually lost the bid.

Tributes have poured in across Ghana and beyond, with presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu describing her as “a trailblazer who championed women’s rights and national development.” Members of the Rawlings family have since visited President John Mahama to formally announce her passing.

Ghana’s parliament has adjourned in her honour as preparations begin for national mourning and a state funeral.

During her years as First Lady, Nana Konadu’s elegance and influence earned her international recognition notably when she and her husband attended a 1999 White House state dinner hosted by then U.S. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Her death marks the end of an era for Ghana’s political and social landscape, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy, courage, and reform.