Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings dies at 76

Ghana is in mourning following the passing of Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.

It is emerging that she died on Thursday at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.

The Former First Lady was 76 years old.

The news of her death has sent waves of sorrow across the nation, as Ghanaians remember a woman whose life was deeply intertwined with the country’s political evolution and social transformation.

Nana Konadu, the beloved wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, was not only Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady but also one of its most fearless voices for women and children.

Her journey as First Lady began in turbulent times — first under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) from June to September 1979, and later under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) from 1981 to 1993.

She continued in the same role during Ghana’s return to constitutional rule from 1993 to 2001, making her one of the most influential women of her era.

Beyond the corridors of power, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was a visionary.

She founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, a pioneering organization that empowered women through education, entrepreneurship, and leadership training.

Her efforts transformed lives in rural communities and gave countless women a voice in national development.

But her influence reached far beyond advocacy. In 2012, she made history by breaking away from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) — the very party her husband founded — to form the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Despite facing political challenges, including disqualification from the 2012 presidential race, Nana Konadu returned to the ballot in 2016, becoming the first woman to contest Ghana’s presidency — a testament to her resilience and courage.

In 2018, she released her autobiography, “It Takes a Woman,” a deeply personal account of her life’s journey, sacrifices, and triumphs.

The 331-page book offered rare insight into her strength, convictions, and the challenges of being both a political figure and a wife to one of Ghana’s most iconic leaders.

Her passing marks the end of an era — one defined by conviction, compassion, and courage.

To many, she was not just a First Lady, but a symbol of strength, a mother to a movement, and a voice that never wavered in the face of adversity.

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings will be remembered as a trailblazer who redefined the role of women in Ghanaian politics and society.

Her legacy will forever live on in the women she inspired and the history she helped shape.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith