Luminary Ghanaian First Lady, Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings dies at 76
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady and one of the country’s most influential political figures, has passed away at age 76. She died on October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
Born in Cape Coast in 1948 to J.O.T. Agyeman and his wife, she was educated at Ghana International School and Achimota School, where she met her future husband, Jerry John Rawlings. She studied art and textiles at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Then went on to pursue advanced studies at the London College of Arts, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, and the Management Development and Productivity Institute. Her education later took her to the United States, where she attended Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Policy Studies.
Her journey into public life began when her husband assumed power in 1979 as Head of State. After his return in 1981, she resumed her role as First Lady and used her influence to promote social reform and women’s empowerment.
In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, which became one of Ghana’s most powerful grassroots organizations. Under her leadership, the movement established over 870 preschools and championed adult literacy, family planning, and community development.
Through her advocacy, Ghana became the first country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991. She was also instrumental in the passage of the Intestate Succession Law, ensuring inheritance rights for widows who had previously been left out under traditional systems.
Nana Konadu served as First Lady across both military and democratic governments from 1979 to 2001. Her years in public service cemented her reputation as a tireless advocate for women’s rights and a driving force for national development.
Her political ambitions extended beyond activism. In 2009, she became the First Vice Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Later, she broke away to form the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2012. Although she was disqualified from the presidential race that year, she made history in 2016 when she returned to contest, becoming Ghana’s first female presidential candidate.
In 2018, she released her autobiography, It Takes a Woman, a 331-page memoir chronicling her life from childhood to public office. She described the book as the first in a four-part series exploring her personal and political journey.
A strong believer in women’s potential to transform society, she once declared, “Women’s vital role in promoting peace in the family, the country, and the world must be acknowledged. To do this, they must be empowered politically to equip them for the challenges of finding solutions for the betterment of society.”
Nana Konadu married Jerry John Rawlings in 1977, and together they had four children, including Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, a Member of Parliament. Her husband passed away in November 2020, just before the general election in which she was once again contesting as the NDP’s presidential candidate.
Her death marks the end of an era. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings leaves behind a transformative legacy that redefined the political and social role of women in Ghana. Her vision, resilience, and leadership continue to inspire generations striving for equality and progress.
Written by Oral Ofori
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
