Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana's former First Lady, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. Recognized not just for her marriage to Ghana's longest-serving leader, Jerry John Rawlings, but for her considerable contributions as a politician and women's rights advocate.
She died early Thursday morning after a brief illness, as confirmed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, a spokesperson for the Ghanaian presidential office. Social media has been flooded with tributes celebrating her life and legacy.
Her influence extended beyond her role as first lady; she was a key figure in the founding of the 31st December Women's Movement aimed at empowering women economically. This initiative arose in the wake of her husband's second coup in 1981 and was pivotal in enhancing women's rights across the nation.
Nana Konadu’s political ambitions saw her running for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidacy in 2012, although she did not secure the nomination.
From a middle-class background in Cape Coast, her journey began at the prestigious Achimota School in Accra where she met her future husband. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she pursued higher education, studying art and textiles.
The couple became a famous duo in Ghana, with Jerry Rawlings leading the nation through tumultuous times while Nana Konadu stood as an influential advisor and campaigner for women’s inclusion in politics.
Her legacy lives on through various reforms that she championed, such as enhancing inheritance rights for women and contributing to the gender equality provisions in Ghana's 1992 constitution.
As Ghana enters a period of mourning for one of its most prominent figures, Parliament has adjourned to honor her memory, marking the end of an era that saw significant advancements for women in the country.
