The former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has passed away at the age of 76 at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
The dynamic politician, influential women’s advocate, and the widow of late former President Jerry John Rawlings, leaves behind a significant legacy in both Ghanaian politics and social development.
Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings hospitalised at Ridge Hospital
Here’s a brief profile of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, in Ghana’s Central Region, to the late J.O.T. Agyeman and his wife.
In 1984, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM), an influential non-governmental organisation focused on women’s empowerment, education, and economic independence.
Under her leadership, the movement became one of Ghana’s most impactful advocacy groups, promoting women’s participation in business, politics, and community development.
As a prominent member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nana Konadu was elected the party’s First Vice Chairperson in 2009. In 2011, she made history as the first woman to challenge a sitting Ghanaian president — John Evans Atta Mills — for the NDC’s presidential flagbearership at the party’s congress in Sunyani, although she was unsuccessful.
Following her departure from the NDC, she established the National Democratic Party (NDP) in October 2012. She later became the party’s presidential candidate in the 2016 general election.
Nana Konadu began her education at Achimota School and later attended the University of Science and Technology (now KNUST), where she specialised in Textiles and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. She continued her studies abroad, obtaining a Diploma in Interior Design from the London College of Arts.
She also held a Diploma in Advanced Personnel Management from Ghana’s Management Development and Productivity Institute (1979) and a Certificate in Development from GIMPA (1991). In 1994, she pursued a Senior Fellow Diploma in Policy Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, USA.
Professionally, Nana Konadu worked with several organisations, including the Ghana Tourist Board and the Union Trading Company (UTC) in Accra, before dedicating herself fully to social advocacy and public service.
She married Jerry John Rawlings, then an officer in the Ghana Air Force, in 1977. The couple had four children; Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings, and Kimathi Rawlings and together, they became one of Ghana’s most influential and politically active families.
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