Former First Lady of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has died at 76 at the Ridge Hospital in Accra after a short illness, reliable family sources have confirmed.
She was the wife of the late former Head of State and President Jerry John Rawlings.
Details surrounding the cause of death remain unclear, but close relatives say she passed away on Thursday morning, just minutes after being rushed to the hospital.
Official communication from the family and the government is expected in the coming hours.
Former First Lady Nana Kunadu Agyemang Rawlings on the dancing floor
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was one of the most influential figures in Ghana’s modern political history.
As First Lady from 1981 to 2001, she redefined the role of women in governance and development through her dynamic leadership and advocacy.
In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM), a nationwide organization that empowered millions of Ghanaian women through education, entrepreneurship, and social development.
Under her leadership, the movement established hundreds of daycare centers and women’s training initiatives, particularly in rural communities.
Her relentless advocacy contributed significantly to landmark legal reforms, including the Intestate Succession Law (PNDC Law 111), which secured property rights for widows and children.
She was also instrumental in promoting Ghana’s adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Beyond her social activism, Nana Konadu was a formidable political figure. She served as the First Vice-Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and later founded her own political party, the National Democratic Party (NDP), in 2012.
In 2016, she made history as the first woman to contest for the presidency of Ghana, running on the ticket of the NDP a milestone that underscored her lifelong dedication to gender equality and political inclusion.
Throughout her public life, she was known for her resilience, confidence, and unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment. Even after the death of her husband, Jerry John Rawlings, in 2020, Nana Konadu continued to play a mentoring role in political and civic affairs.
News of her passing has sent shockwaves across Ghana, with tributes pouring in from political leaders, civil society groups, and international partners. Many have described her as a “pioneer of women’s empowerment” and a “pillar of social transformation.”
The government is expected to issue an official statement and announce funeral arrangements in due course.
About Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu attended Achimota School and later pursued higher education at the University of Science and Technology (now KNUST).
She furthered her studies in the arts in London, where she developed a passion for social activism and women’s rights.
Her life’s work continues to inspire generations of Ghanaian women striving for leadership and equality.
