Former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has paid glowing tribute to the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a trailblazer who redefined women’s participation in Ghanaian politics.
Speaking in an interview after a government delegation visited the Agyeman-Rawlings family to commiserate with them on October 27, 2025, Nana Oye reflected on three key things she will always remember the late Nana Konadu for.
She disclosed that there were times she had to sell her jewelry and personal belongings just to raise funds to continue to campaign.
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“Even at times, she would sell her jewellery and personal belongings just to raise funds to continue to campaign or to continue to mobilise,” she recalled.
According to her, Nana Konadu’s unmatched role in mobilising women for political work, changing the face of politics in Ghana and following in the footsteps of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s engagement with market women during the independence struggle must be commended.
Secondly, she praised Nana Konadu for transforming the role of the First Lady, making it more active and impactful in national development.
“Our previous First Ladies were not as active as she was but she made the role one that helped their respective husbands to also develop their countries,” Nana Oye noted.
Her third remembrance was of Nana Konadu’s pioneering advocacy for women’s rights, notably her influence in the promulgation of the PNDC Law 111, the Interstate Succession Law, which ensures widows and children are protected after the death of a husband or father.
“From then until now, women are not sacked from their houses when their husbands die; children are not destitute because of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings,” she said.
Nana Oye also lauded the late former First Lady’s courage and ambition, recalling her presidential bid and her iconic message, “Be Bold.”
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“Today, we are remembering a matriarch, a woman dedicated to the cause of Ghana and the cause of women in Ghana. May she rest in power,” she added.
She extended her condolences to the bereaved family and encouraged them to continue the legacy of the late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
MRA/AM
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo names three things she will remember Nana Konadu for
