Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the former First Lady of Ghana, who died at the age of 76 on Thursday, October 23, 2025, will be laid to rest today.
She was the widow of Ghana’s longest-serving leader, Jerry John Rawlings, who passed away five years ago.
He conducted two coups before winning two multiparty presidential elections.
Social media is overflowing with tributes to the former first lady, politician, and women’s rights advocate, who died on Thursday morning after a brief illness.
Background
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics and a lifetime supporter of women’s emancipation, was born in Cape Coast on November 17, 1948.
She was originally appointed Ghana’s originally Lady in 1979 and then again from 1981 until 2001 as the late former President Jerry John Rawlings’ wife. During this time, she turned the customarily ceremonial position into a forum for social and political advocacy.
One of the most significant women’s organizations in Ghanaian history, the 31st December Women’s Movement, was created by her in 1982.
In addition to establishing more than 870 preschools and advancing programs in literacy, healthcare, and women’s economic empowerment, the organization expanded to nearly two million members nationally.
Generations of Ghanaian women were motivated to assume leadership positions in public life by her work, which also changed the country’s conversation on gender equality.
Beyond her time as First Lady, she had a significant impact on politics. A pivotal point in Ghana’s political history occurred in 2011 when she challenged then-President John Atta Mills for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential ticket.
In 2016, she became the first female presidential candidate after founding the National Democratic Party (NDP).
Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings has been involved in national issues since her husband’s death in November 2020.
Source: newsthemegh.com