Ghana Enters Three Days of Mourning for Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Ghana will observe three days of national mourning in remembrance of the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. The solemn period, announced by President John Dramani Mahama, is scheduled from Friday, October 24 to 26, 2025.
“Following the passing of H.E. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, President John Dramani Mahama has, on behalf of the government, declared three days of national mourning from today, Friday 24 October to Sunday 26 October 2025,” a statement from the Presidency indicated.
The statement described the late Nana Konadu as a national icon whose contributions to public life reshaped the landscape of women’s empowerment and child welfare in Ghana. President Mahama said her dedication to justice, equality, and service to humanity left an enduring mark on the nation’s democratic and social development.
“This is in honour of her memory and in recognition of her distinguished service to our nation. Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings served Ghana with dedication and commitment, particularly in women’s empowerment, child welfare, and social development.”
During the mourning period, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast at government offices, public institutions, and Ghanaian diplomatic missions around the world.
The President encouraged citizens to use the period to reflect on the former First Lady’s lifelong advocacy for women and children, noting that her courage and compassion had inspired generations.
About Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast in Ghana’s Central Region, Nana Konadu’s academic journey began at Achimota School, where fate introduced her to Jerry John Rawlings, the young man who would later become her husband and Ghana’s head of state.
She furthered her studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), specialising in Art and Textiles, before advancing to the London College of Arts in 1975, where she obtained a diploma in Interior Design.
Her thirst for knowledge didn’t end there—she went on to acquire qualifications in Advanced Personnel Management and Development Studies from GIMPA, reflecting her lifelong commitment to education and leadership.
In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement (31st DWM) — an organisation that redefined the narrative of Ghanaian womanhood. Far beyond ceremonial advocacy, the movement mobilised millions of women nationwide, empowering them through education, entrepreneurship, and social reform.
Under her leadership, the 31st DWM established over 870 preschools, launched income-generating projects, and led literacy and public health campaigns that improved livelihoods across rural Ghana.
Her activism also brought legislative change. Nana Konadu was instrumental in the enactment of the Intestate Succession Law (PNDCL 111), which secured inheritance rights for widows and children. Her efforts contributed to Ghana becoming the first country in the world to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1991—a testament to her advocacy for family welfare and child protection.
Nana Konadu’s political strength extended far beyond her role as First Lady. She was a key voice within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), serving as First Vice Chairperson in 2009. Her decision to challenge President John Atta Mills for the party’s presidential nomination in 2011 marked a historic moment of defiance — one that underscored her independence and political courage.
When ideological differences deepened, she charted her own path, founding the National Democratic Party (NDP). In 2016, she made history once again by becoming the first woman in Ghana to contest the presidency, breaking a centuries-old political barrier and inspiring women across the continent.
Although her bid garnered a small share of the votes, her campaign embodied the courage of a woman who refused to be confined by political convention.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was never merely the wife of a president — she was a force of her own making. Known affectionately and sometimes fearfully as the ‘Iron Lady’, she spoke with conviction, acted with resolve, and believed in the transformative potential of women to lead change.
Through her initiatives, advocacy, and unapologetic leadership, she left behind not just a memory, but a movement — one that redefined the role of women in Ghanaian politics and community life.
Her life was a study in resilience, intellect, and purpose — a testament that a single determined woman could challenge structures, rewrite norms, and leave behind a legacy larger than any title she ever held.
Story by Adwoa S. Danso
