By Gloria Nosa
The nation of Ghana is mourning the loss of one of its most influential political figures and women’s rights champions, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the age of 76.
A towering figure in Ghana’s socio-political landscape, Nana Konadu was the widow of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, the country’s longest-serving leader who ruled from 1981 to 2001. Her death comes five years after that of her husband, marking the end of an era for one of Ghana’s most iconic power couples.
According to presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the former First Lady died after a short illness. Her family has since officially informed President John Mahama, leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) — the political party founded by her late husband.
During the swearing-in of new High Court Justices on Thursday, President Mahama paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Nana Konadu, describing her as “a woman of strength, vision, and compassion whose impact will forever be remembered.”
A Life of Purpose and Influence
Born in November 1948 in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu Agyeman grew up in a middle-class home and attended the prestigious Achimota School in Accra, where she met Jerry Rawlings. She later pursued a degree in Art and Textiles at the university level, while Rawlings trained in the Air Force. The couple married in 1977, and two years later, at just 32, Rawlings seized power in a military coup.
As First Lady, Nana Konadu became a powerful force in her own right, combining elegance with political acumen. She was deeply involved in national development and worked alongside her husband to push Ghana toward social reform and democracy.
Her most enduring legacy lies in her advocacy for women’s rights and social justice. Through her leadership of the 31st December Women’s Movement, she spearheaded programs that promoted literacy, entrepreneurship, and healthcare for women across rural Ghana. The movement played a pivotal role in securing inheritance rights for women and children through the 1989 law and influenced gender equality provisions in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.
A Political Voice of Her Own
Beyond her activism, Nana Konadu ventured into politics, seeking to continue her husband’s legacy while charting her own course. In 2012, she made a historic bid for the NDC presidential ticket — the first woman to do so within the party — though she lost the nomination. Undeterred, she continued her advocacy through civic engagement and mentorship for young women in leadership.
Nationwide Mourning and Tributes
Following the announcement of her death, tributes have poured in from across Ghana and beyond. The Parliament of Ghana adjourned its sitting in her honour, while social media platforms were flooded with messages celebrating her courage and contributions.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Richmond Rockson, described her as “an exceptional First Lady whose visionary leadership and resilience shaped a generation of Ghanaian women.”
He added: “Her unwavering support during Ghana’s revolutionary years and her lifelong dedication to empowerment have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.”
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is survived by her four children, including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, a current NDC member of parliament.
As the nation mourns, her legacy endures — not just as a former First Lady, but as a pioneer, reformer, and fearless advocate who dedicated her life to uplifting others.
Her passing marks the close of a remarkable chapter in Ghana’s political and social history — one defined by courage, conviction, and the unwavering pursuit of equality.
