A Powerful Legacy of Empowerment
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady of Ghana and tireless champion of women’s empowerment, passed away in the early hours of Thursday, 23 October 2025 at Ridge Hospital in Accra. Sources say she was 76 years old.
Her public service spanned decades — from her role as First Lady during military and civilian administrations (1979; 1981 – 2001) of her husband, Jerry John Rawlings, to her founding of the influential 31st December Women’s Movement and later the National Democratic Party (NDP).
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Key Milestones & Contributions
- Longest-serving First Lady of Ghana: Her tenure covered both military (AFRC, PNDC) and democratic phases of the country.
- Advocate for women’s rights: Under her leadership, the 31st December Women’s Movement mobilised millions of Ghanaian women, expanded preschool education and advanced legal reforms such as the Intestate Succession Law which improved inheritance rights for widows and children.
- Political trailblazer: In 2016 she became the first woman in Ghana to contest the presidency. Also, she authored It Takes a Woman, reflecting her journey and vision.
The Impact of Her Passing
Ghana’s Parliament adjourned its session as a mark of respect to her life and service. Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, highlighting her unwavering commitment to gender equality, social justice and national development.
Many describe her as “a force in Ghanaian politics” whose influence extended far beyond ceremonial roles.
A Life Remembered
Her death leaves a void in the national conscience — one filled with admiration for a woman who stood at the crossroads of tradition, activism and leadership. She is survived by her children and a legacy that will continue influencing Ghana’s future generations of women and leaders.
May her legacy live on.