Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was born on 17th November 1948 in Cape Coast, Central Region. She was a Ghanaian politician, women’s rights activist, businesswoman, and former First Lady of Ghana.
According to GhanaRegions.com sources, she served during the administration of her husband, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, and was one of Ghana’s most prominent advocates for women’s empowerment.
Madam Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, which transformed the role of women in national development.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings passed away on 23 October 2025 at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, at the age of 76.
Early Life and Education Of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Nana Konadu Agyeman was born on 17 November 1948 in Cape Coast, in Ghana’s Central Region. She came from the Agyeman family, known for its public service and educational values. Her father, J.O.T. Agyeman, was a notable public servant, and her mother, Felicia Agyeman, was an educator.
She attended Achimota School, one of Ghana’s premier secondary schools, before pursuing higher education at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she studied Art and specialized in Textiles. While at KNUST, she was active in student leadership and began developing her interest in social work and advocacy.
Family and Personal Life
In 1977, she married Jerry John Rawlings, a young Ghanaian Air Force officer who would later become the Head of State and subsequently the democratically elected President of Ghana. The couple had four children, including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who serves as a Member of Parliament.
Nana Konadu was known for her strong personality, charisma, and partnership with her husband in public life. Even after Jerry Rawlings’ death in November 2020, she remained an influential figure in Ghanaian politics and public discourse.
Career and Political Life
As First Lady, Nana Konadu redefined the role of women in governance. She was not content to remain in a ceremonial capacity but instead became a powerful advocate for social and economic change.
31st December Women’s Movement
She founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, an organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of women and children, literacy, health education, and entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, the movement established projects in rural development, education, and healthcare that empowered thousands of women across the country.
Political Leadership
After her husband left office in 2001, Nana Konadu continued her involvement in politics. She played a key role within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) but later broke away to form her own party, the National Democratic Party (NDP). In 2016, she made history by becoming one of the first Ghanaian women to run for President, solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in women’s political participation.
Impact and Legacy
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s most influential women. Through her activism, she elevated national awareness of women’s rights and gender equality. Her leadership of the 31st December Women’s Movement introduced community-based development programs that gave rural women access to credit, education, and political participation.
She inspired generations of Ghanaian women to pursue leadership roles, not just in politics but across all sectors. Her courage, determination, and service-oriented mindset have left an enduring mark on Ghana’s social and political landscape.
Death Of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings passed away on Thursday, 23 October 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra after a short illness. She was 76 years old at the time of her death.
Her passing came nearly five years after the death of her husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings, in November 2020. News of her death was met with widespread shock and sorrow across Ghana, as tributes poured in from political leaders, women’s groups, and citizens who remembered her decades of service and advocacy.
Tributes
Following her passing, prominent figures and organizations across Ghana expressed their condolences. Many described her as a bold, visionary, and transformative leader whose life’s work contributed greatly to the advancement of women and children in Ghana. Citizens also recalled her warmth, dedication, and passion for social justice.
Funeral arrangements and national tributes are expected to be announced by the family and the government in due course.
Finally, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings lived a life dedicated to empowerment, service, and leadership. From her early activism to her years as First Lady and beyond, she consistently championed the cause of women and the underprivileged. Her legacy will endure through the lives she touched, the movements she built, and the inspiration she continues to provide to future generations.
