Ghana Mourns Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings at 77
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Ghana mourns the passing of its longest serving First Lady and the nation’s first female presidential candidate whose life embodied courage, leadership and a passion for women’s empowerment.
Ghana has lost one of its most influential women in modern history. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the longest-serving First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, passed away on Thursday morning, October 23, 2025 in Accra. She was 76 years old. Her death marks the end of an era for a woman whose voice and vision helped shape Ghana’s political and social landscape for decades.
Born on November 17, 1948, Nana Konadu’s life was defined by leadership, resilience, and service. She was more than the wife of the late President Jerry John Rawlings she was a formidable leader in her own right, a mother figure to many, and a tireless advocate for the advancement of women and children in Ghana.
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Nana Konadu’s leadership qualities emerged early in her life. During her time at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), she served as a student leader of Africa Hall, where she became known for her charisma, confidence, and organizational abilities. Her peers often described her as disciplined and forward-thinking traits that would later define her public life.
Her commitment to education was evident throughout her journey. In 1975, she earned a diploma in interior design from the London College of Arts. A few years later, in 1979, she obtained a diploma in advanced personnel management from Ghana’s Management Development and Productivity Institute. She continued to pursue knowledge relentlessly, earning a certificate in development from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 1991.
Throughout her tenure as First Lady, Nana Konadu was a strong voice for women’s rights and empowerment. Her vision for gender equality inspired the creation of the 31st December Women’s Movement a pioneering organization that sought to empower women through education, skills training and entrepreneurship.
Under her leadership, the movement improved the lives of countless women across Ghana, helping them access resources, education, and opportunities for economic independence. Nana Konadu’s advocacy contributed significantly to national conversations about women’s participation in governance and decision-making.
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Her dedication to women’s causes was not limited to Ghana. She represented the country on numerous international platforms, advocating for the rights and dignity of women in Africa and beyond. Her work earned her admiration both at home and abroad.
In 2016, Nana Konadu made history when she became the first woman to contest the presidency of Ghana. As the flagbearer of the National Democratic Party (NDP), she broke barriers in a male-dominated political environment. Though she did not win, her courage to step forward inspired a new generation of women to dream beyond societal limitations.
Her political ambition was not driven by personal gain but by her belief that women should be equally represented in leadership and governance. She often said that empowering a woman was equivalent to empowering a nation a statement that became her lifelong mantra.
In 2018, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings published her first book titled “It Takes a Woman.” The book reflected her experiences, philosophies, and lifelong mission to uplift others. Through it, she chronicled her journey from a young university activist to a national figure who stood for justice, equality, and progress.
Her commitment to continuous learning took her beyond Ghana’s borders. She studied at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Policy Studies in Baltimore, USA, where she received a certificate from a fellowship program in philanthropy and non-profit organizations. Her academic pursuits reflected her belief that education was the foundation for effective leadership.
Nana Konadu’s passing leaves a profound void in Ghana’s political and social fabric. Yet, her legacy continues to shine in the women she mentored, the communities she uplifted, and the movements she ignited. She will be remembered as a woman who refused to be confined by societal expectations, as a leader who stood tall in the face of adversity, and as a patriot who loved her country deeply.
Her life reminds the nation that true leadership is measured not by power or position, but by the impact one leaves on people’s hearts and futures. Ghana will forever remember Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings the First Lady who became a national matriarch, a pioneer, and a symbol of strength for generations to come.
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