Ghana has been thrown into mourning following the death of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the country’s former First Lady and a key figure in women’s empowerment.
The 76-year-old wife of the late President Jerry John Rawlings passed away on Thursday morning after a short illness, according to presidential spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu. Her death marks the end of an era for one of Ghana’s most influential and outspoken female leaders.
Members of her family later paid a visit to President John Mahama to officially convey the sad news. Mahama, who leads the National Democratic Congress (NDC) — the political party established by her husband — expressed deep sorrow, describing her as a central figure in Ghana’s democratic journey and a relentless advocate for women’s rights.
During her years as First Lady, Agyeman-Rawlings carved out her own political space, founding the 31st December Women’s Movement, an organisation that promoted women’s economic and social empowerment.
The movement, named after the 1981 coup that brought her husband back to power, transformed the lives of many women across Ghana by teaching them income-generating skills and encouraging their participation in leadership.
Born in November 1948 in Cape Coast, she grew up in a middle-class family and attended the prestigious Achimota School in Accra, where she met her future husband.
She later pursued studies in art and textiles at the university level, while Jerry Rawlings joined the Ghana Air Force, eventually rising to the rank of flight lieutenant in 1978 — a year after their marriage.
The couple’s rise to national prominence came swiftly after Rawlings seized power at age 32, with Agyeman-Rawlings often regarded as one of his most trusted advisers. Together, they became one of Ghana’s most influential couples — admired and controversial in equal measure.
They had four children, including Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who has followed their political path as a legislator for the NDC.
Agyeman-Rawlings’ impact extended far beyond politics. Her activism helped shape Ghana’s inheritance law in 1989, ensuring protection for women and children, and she played a crucial role in integrating gender equality into the 1992 Constitution, which ushered in the return of multiparty democracy.
Following news of her death, tributes flooded social media from political leaders, civil society, and ordinary citizens who hailed her as a pioneer for women’s empowerment and a voice for justice.
Ghana’s parliament adjourned its proceedings in her honour as the nation began official mourning for one of its most enduring political figures.
