Ghana has been cast into mourning following the passing of former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, at the age of 76.
According to family sources, she took her final breath in the early hours of Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra. Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Central Region, Nana Konadu lived a life devoted to service, empowerment, and the pursuit of justice for women and the less privileged.
She was not only the beloved wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings but also his lifelong partner in vision and purpose. Together, they defined an era — their youth marked by idealism, courage, and a deep love for their country.
For two decades, from 1981 to 2001, Nana Konadu served as Ghana’s First Lady, a role she transformed into a platform for advocacy and action. In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, a groundbreaking initiative that uplifted countless women across Ghana — giving them tools, training, and confidence to lead and succeed.
Even after the passing of her husband in 2020, Nana Konadu remained an enduring pillar — graceful in strength, steadfast in conviction. She later founded the National Democratic Party (NDP) and made history as the first Ghanaian woman to run for the presidency, shattering ceilings for generations to come.
In recent months, she continued to show her compassion and devotion to public service. She was among the dignitaries who laid wreaths at the Forecourt of the Jubilee House, honouring eight public servants who perished in a tragic helicopter crash. She also travelled to Kumasi with her children, Amina and Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, to pay respects at the funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, consoling the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with grace and empathy.
Her presence was always felt — elegant, commanding, and compassionate. Her passing leaves a void not only in her family but also in the hearts of millions who admired her courage, her elegance, and her unwavering commitment to Ghana’s progress.
As the nation awaits an official statement from the Rawlings family, one truth remains undeniable: Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was more than a former First Lady.
She was a trailblazer, a mother of the nation, and a voice that will echo through the generations she inspired.
May her soul rest in perfect peace.
source: ghmediahub.com
