President John Dramani Mahama has announced Government’s decision to honour former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who died on October 23, aged 76, with a state funeral.
He noted that the state would give her the full honours that she deserves as a former First Lady and Mother of the Nation.
President Mahama made the announcement, when he and his wife, First Lady Lordina Mahama, together with some senior Government officials consoled the Agyeman-Rawlings Family at their Ridge Residence in Accra.
The President on behalf of the nation expressed his condolences on the passing of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings; saying, “It actually came as a shock.”
President Mahama, who said the former First Lady’s death was sudden; recalled that the last time he saw her was at the Asantehemaa’s funeral at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
“And she was a lively self. I mean, there was nothing that could warn us that in a few weeks she herself would become God’s own.”
President Mahama said Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings set a record in the country as the longest serving First Lady for 19 solid years during which she took women’s empowerment as her focus.
He said evidence of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ achievements would be seen across the nation in the form of palm oil extraction machines and gari production projects, which were still operational.
“Women are using those income generation facilities to improve themselves and their children. There is a lot that can be said, and I am sure that when the tributes are written, we will have an awesome story about her role as First Lady in Ghana,” he stated.
The President government would work closely with the family. We’re waiting for the family to meet and tell us what their desires are.”
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and her late husband, former President John Dramani Mahama are survived by their four adult children: Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings on behalf of the Agyeman-Rawlings Family thanked the President for his support and encouragement for them in the moment of grieve.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings expressed the family’s appreciation to President Mahama for the declaration of three days of national mourning and the announcement of a state funeral for their departed mother.
