MWE Correspondent
The former First Lady of Ghana and a prominent advocate for women’s rights, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has passed away at the age of 76. She died on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Ridge Hospital in Accra following a brief illness.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu was educated at Achimota School and later pursued studies in art and textiles at university. She married Jerry John Rawlings in 1977, who would later become Ghana’s longest-serving head of state. Nana Konadu served as First Lady during two periods: briefly in 1979 under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and then from 1981 to 2001 during the Provisional National Defence Council era and the subsequent democratic government.
Beyond her role as First Lady, Nana Konadu was a trailblazer in women’s empowerment and social advocacy. She founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, an organization dedicated to uplifting women economically and promoting grassroots community development. Her leadership played a significant role in shaping policies around gender equality, including contributions to Ghana’s 1989 inheritance law and the 1992 Constitution, which enshrined equal rights for women.
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In 2016, Nana Konadu made history by becoming the first woman in Ghana to run for the presidency. Although she did not win, her candidacy marked a milestone in the nation’s political landscape and inspired many women to engage actively in politics. She also founded the National Democratic Party (NDP) after parting ways with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the party established by her late husband.
The news of her passing has sparked an outpouring of grief across Ghana and beyond. President John Mahama paid tribute, saying, “As we rise and pay a moment of silence to her memory, may the Almighty God grant her peaceful rest in His bosom.” The government has declared a national mourning period, and Parliament temporarily adjourned its sitting to honor her legacy.
Nana Konadu is survived by her four children, including Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, a serving Member of Parliament. Her contributions to women’s rights, community development, and Ghanaian politics have left an indelible mark on the nation, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations.
