Ghana is in mourning following the death of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who passed away at the age of 76 at the Ridge Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
The government confirmed her death on Thursday afternoon, prompting an outpouring of tributes across the country.
Nana Konadu, the widow of Ghana’s longest-serving president, Jerry John Rawlings, was a towering figure in the nation’s political and social landscape.
As First Lady from 1981 to 2001, she was a vocal advocate for women’s empowerment and gender equality, founding the 31st December Women’s Movement, named after the date of her husband’s 1981 coup — to promote women’s social and economic participation.
Her influence extended beyond her role as First Lady. She later established the National Democratic Party (NDP), a move that reflected her determination to remain active in Ghana’s political space even after her husband’s presidency.
On social media, tributes have flooded in from leaders and citizens alike, hailing her as a “trailblazer,” “mother of empowerment,” and “pillar of Ghanaian womanhood.”
Her death comes five years after the passing of her husband, Jerry John Rawlings, in 2020. Together, they shaped a political legacy that continues to define Ghana’s modern history.
Flags are expected to fly at half-mast in the coming days as the nation prepares to honour one of its most formidable women.
