Ghana mourns the loss of former First Lady and women’s rights advocate Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who died Thursday at 76 after a brief illness.
She was the widow of Jerry John Rawlings, the country’s longest-serving leader, who passed away five years ago. Rawlings came to power through two military coups before being elected president twice under Ghana’s multiparty system.
Presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed her death, and her family formally informed President John Mahama later in the day. Mahama, leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) founded by Rawlings, paid tribute to her during the swearing-in of new High Court justices.
Born in November 1948 in Cape Coast, Agyeman-Rawlings attended Achimota School in Accra, where she met her future husband. She went on to study art and textiles, while Rawlings joined the Air Force, rising to flight lieutenant in 1978, a year after their marriage.
By the time Rawlings seized power in 1979 at age 32, Nana Konadu had become one of his closest advisers. The couple built one of Ghana’s most dynamic political partnerships and had four children, including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, now an NDC parliamentarian.
Throughout her life, Agyeman-Rawlings championed women’s rights. She played a key role in the 1989 law guaranteeing inheritance rights for women and children and contributed to the gender equality provisions in Ghana’s 1992 constitution, which marked the start of multiparty democracy.
Parliament adjourned in her honor, and social media has been filled with tributes celebrating her legacy. Richmond Rockson, spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, described her as “an exceptional First Lady whose visionary leadership and organizational skills left an indelible mark on Ghana’s history.” He added, “She stood firmly by Chairman Jerry John Rawlings during the revolution, displaying courage, loyalty, and resilience. Her commitment to women’s empowerment led to the creation of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she led as president.”
Agyeman-Rawlings also pursued her own political ambitions, contesting the NDC’s presidential ticket in 2012. Her 31st December Women’s Movement focused on empowering women and promoting community development through education and entrepreneurship, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer for women in Ghana.