Ghana today, Friday, November 28, 2025, will lay to rest the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, in a final farewell ceremony at Independence Square, Accra.
The funeral rites are set to begin at 6 a.m. with the arrival of the cortege, drawing family, friends, dignitaries, and members of the public eager to pay their last respects.
In a statement, the Agyeman-Rawlings family emphasised that no prior invitation is required to attend the funeral, noting that attendees will be guided to designated seating areas upon arrival. The family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and condolences received since her passing.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu was educated at Achimota School and later at the University of Science and Technology (now KNUST), where she studied Art and Design.
It was during her university years that she met Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, whom she married in 1977.
Her life entered the public spotlight when her husband led the June 4, 1979, uprising and later the December 31, 1981, revolution, events that shaped Ghana’s modern political trajectory.
As First Lady under both the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the Fourth Republic, Nana Konadu became a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment and national development.
Champion for Women’s Rights
In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM), a platform dedicated to economic and social empowerment for women, particularly in rural communities.
The movement promoted microcredit schemes, established preschools, and advocated for women’s participation in decision-making processes at all levels of governance.
Her leadership with the DWM helped drive significant policy changes, including the recognition of women’s rights in the 1992 Constitution and the enactment of the Intestate Succession Law (PNDC Law 111), which safeguarded the inheritance rights of spouses and children.
Under her stewardship, the DWM became one of the largest women’s organisations in Ghana and across Africa, cementing her legacy as a transformative advocate for gender equality.
A political force
Nana Konadu also carved a path in Ghanaian politics independently of her role as First Lady.
In 2011, she contested the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the late President John Evans Atta Mills, signalling her ambition and political courage.
After the contest, she founded the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2012, serving as its first flagbearer and running for president in both 2012 and 2016.
While her bids were unsuccessful, they inspired countless women to aspire to leadership positions in Ghanaian politics.
Legacy and Family
Known for her assertive personality, elegance, and unwavering commitment to social justice, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was married to Jerry John Rawlings for over four decades until his death in November 2020.
The couple had four children, including Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP for Korle Klottey.
Her passing marks the end of an era for Ghana — the loss of a woman whose life was deeply entwined with the country’s political evolution from military rule to democratic governance. Today’s funeral at Independence Square will serve as a final tribute to her enduring impact on women’s rights, politics, and national development.
