Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Former First Lady and founder of the December 31st December Women’s Movement, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has died at the age of 76. The death occurred on Wednesday, October 23, 2025, at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital.
This was announced yesterday by the government through a statement issued by the Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who extended condolences to the immediate family.
Born on November 17, 1948, Mrs Rawlings was Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, having occupied the role from June 4 to September 24, 1979 under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), and again from December 31, 1981 to January 6, 1993 under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), both led by her husband, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings.
She continued as First Lady when the fourth Republic constitution was ushered in on January 7, 1993, to January 6, 2001, as her husband completed two terms as a democratically elected President.
In 2016, Nana Konadu made history as the first woman to run for President of Ghana, contesting on the ticket of the National Democratic Party (NDP). Two years later, in 2018, she launched her maiden book, “It Takes a Woman.”
Profile
Born in Cape Coast, Central Region, Nana Konadu received her early education at Ghana International School and later Achimota School, where she met her future husband, Jerry John Rawlings.
She pursued Art and Textiles at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she became a student leader at Africa Hall. In 1975, she obtained a diploma in Interior Design from the London College of Arts.
Her quest for academic and leadership excellence continued with a diploma in Advanced Personnel Management from the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) in 1979, and a certificate in Development from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 1991.
She also attended courses at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Policy Studies in Baltimore, USA, and earned a certificate in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Organisations through a fellows programme.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is remembered as a trailblazer for women’s empowerment, a pillar of advocacy, and a symbol of resilience in Ghana’s political history.
Tribute
Meanwhile, tributes have been pouring in from across the country following the passing. Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo described her as a role model for women in Ghana and across Africa, whose gender advocacy and women empowerment initiatives remain impactful to this day. “Her commitment to the growth of the women’s movement in Ghana and Africa can never be forgotten. She was a warm and affectionate woman, with a good sense of humour and was excellent company” the former President noted in facebook post.
Former Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia noted that Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings leaves behind a legacy defined by her unwavering commitment to the nation’s women and girls. “Throughout her time as First Lady of the Republic of Ghana and beyond, she was a true champion of women advocacy. She didn’t just speak about women’s rights; she mobilised a movement.”
Musician Sarkodie described the death as “Sad day for Ghana” while 2024 Independent Presidential Candidate, Nana Kwame Bediako described her as “beautiful spirit we were blessed to have in Ghana” saying her elegance, compassion, love for children and women, leadership, and fashion sense made her more than a First Lady ,and became a beacon of Ghanaian womanhood.
