Ghana bid a final farewell to its longest-serving former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, at a state funeral held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Independence Square in Accra. Tributes poured in from national leaders, political figures, family members, and organizations, all commemorating a transformative national figure whose profound impact reshaped Ghana's political, social, and democratic landscape. The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, encapsulated the sentiment, describing her as “boldness personified” and affirming that her work “changed the course of our nation.”

Long before she assumed national prominence, Nana Konadu's innate leadership was evident within her own home. Her sisters recalled her as a natural unifier and commander, who mobilized everyone around her in Accra Ridge. This early display of leadership, creativity, discipline, and mentorship, coupled with her experiences at the Ghana Trade Board and Union Trading Company, fostered a deep connection to the struggles of ordinary women. These encounters laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and opportunity for the vulnerable, particularly women.

A central pillar of her activism was the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she founded during the turbulent era of the June 4 Uprising and the 31st December Revolution. This organization was hailed by the NDC as “one of the boldest acts of leadership in our national history” and a “nationwide transformation engine.” Under her commanding and charismatic leadership, the movement established over 870 early childhood centres nationwide, with some accounts noting approximately 1000, providing vital educational foundations for thousands of children. Her advocacy also extended to advancing adult literacy, setting up income-generating activities for women, and spearheading legal reforms.

Nana Konadu was instrumental in the passage of PNDC Law 111, the intestate succession law, widely known as the “Nana Konadu Law,” which protects widows’ rights to their homes and property after the death of a spouse. Her fearlessness took Ghana to the world stage, as she championed the rights of the African girl child at the landmark 1995 Beijing Conference. President John Dramani Mahama recognized how she “expanded opportunities for women and girls, especially in rural communities,” laying the groundwork for many of Ghana's gender-sensitive policies.

Beyond her pivotal role in the 31st December Women’s Movement, Nana Konadu was a foundational pillar of both the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). She did not operate from the background but was at the centre, organizing women, building party structures, shaping strategy, and strengthening its grassroots base. Her election in 2009 as First Vice Chairperson of the NDC was a testament to her stature as a founding mother. She further defied limits by becoming the first woman to contest the presidency of Ghana, embodying her conviction that “leadership is not a man’s birthright.” Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo underscored her impact, describing her as a trailblazer and the “embodiment of the women’s struggle for self-empowerment,” even appointing her to lead Ghana’s delegation to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's funeral, a testament to her continental stature.

Her family’s tributes painted a more intimate portrait of Nana Konadu. Her grandchildren remembered her as a woman of unmatched energy, elegance, and influence, whose presence “filled every space” and who “carried a fire that crackled through every movement of her life.” They recalled her matriarchal presence, her generosity, and her strength that could “bring even the mightiest man to heel.” Her children shared memories of her “joie la vive,” rooted in the embrace of family, good music, and dancing, which brought warmth and laughter into their lives. They celebrated her as a tireless patriot, a fearless advocate, and a committed mother who was their “protector, advocate, confidant, and, most importantly, our friend.” As a grandmother, she was remembered as funny, generous, playful, wise, strict, trendy, and “hard.”

Her extraordinary partnership with the late former President Jerry John Rawlings was highlighted, with her children stating, “You and Dad were, in truth, one another’s partner. You were one another’s pillars,” reflecting the deep trust and shared purpose between them. The 31st December Women’s Movement described her as a “mother” figure who inspired bravery, displayed resilience even when facing challenges, and taught members to live with confidence, always encouraging them to aim higher with humility and fortitude.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings passed away at the age of 76 on Thursday, October 23. While her influence and contributions occasionally attracted controversy, her enduring legacy remains indisputable. As President Mahama noted, her passing marks the closing of an important chapter in Ghana’s political and social history, yet her example continues to inspire generations. Her life of service, courage, and deep conviction, dedicated to Ghana’s unity, progress, and stability, ensures that she will be remembered as a woman who lived with intention, spoke her truth without fear, and served her country with unwavering commitment. Ghana, indeed, is better because she lived.