Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Polarizing First Lady and Women’s Rights Icon, Dies at 76

Ghana is in mourning following the death of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the nation’s longest-serving First Lady and a trailblazing advocate for women’s rights, who passed away at age 76.

Family sources confirmed she died this morning at Ridge Hospital in Accra after a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy that shaped Ghana’s political and social landscape for decades.

Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Central Region, to J.O.T. Agyeman, a notable figure in Ghana’s independence movement, Nana Konadu was educated at Achimota School, where she met her future husband, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, and later studied Art and Textiles at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

She married Rawlings in 1977, and their partnership became a cornerstone of Ghanaian history. Rawlings led the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council in 1979 and the Provisional National Defence Council from 1981 to 1993, before serving as president under the Fourth Republic until 2001.

Throughout these periods, Nana Konadu served as First Lady for over 19 years, earning admiration for her charisma and influence as a close advisor to her husband, who passed away in November 2020 at age 73.

Beyond her ceremonial role, Nana Konadu was a fierce champion of women’s empowerment. In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, which provided skills training, microfinance, and advocacy to uplift women economically and politically.

Her work empowered thousands, earning her international recognition alongside figures like Hillary Clinton and Maya Angelou. A recent biography praised by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia lauded her as a resolute fighter for women’s emancipation.

Nana Konadu made history in 2016 as the first Ghanaian woman to run for president, founding the National Democratic Party after parting ways with the National Democratic Congress, co-founded by her husband. Though her campaign garnered limited votes, it broke barriers for women in politics.

Her activism was not without controversy, facing criticism over alleged ties to the PNDC’s governance challenges, but supporters celebrated her unapologetic commitment to equity. Her final days were marked by quiet resilience.

Family head Oheneba Akwesi Abayie noted she was rushed to the hospital this morning, with sources indicating prior medical supervision. Weeks ago, she attended a funeral alongside former President John Agyekum Kufuor and joined dignitaries at the Jubilee House to honor fallen public servants, her grace undiminished.

She is survived by her four children—Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, a Member of Parliament, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings, and Kimathi Rawlings—who carry forward her legacy.

Tributes have poured in from across Ghana and beyond. Rapper Sarkodie shared a heartfelt post on X, while TV3 Ghana reported the family’s visit to President John Dramani Mahama to share the news.

The BBC and Africanews highlighted her women’s rights work and her role as the widow of Ghana’s longest-serving leader. As the nation awaits funeral arrangements, Ghanaians reflect on a woman whose influence transcended titles, leaving an indelible mark on the fight for justice and equality.