A delegation from Parliament, led by the Second Deputy Speaker and Member of Parliament for the Fomena Constituency, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, paid a solemn visit to the bereaved family of the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who tragically passed away yesterday, October 23, 2025, at the age of 76.
The delegation, a representation of the nation’s legislative arm, included the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Majority Leader, George Kwaku Ricketts-Hagan, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor, the First Deputy Majority Whip, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe, the First Deputy Minority Whip, Habib Iddrisu, the Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, the Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, and the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection and MP for Krowor, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, among other distinguished Members of Parliament.
The Members of Parliament offered their profound condolences to the family and formally requested to be included in the planning and arrangements for the upcoming funeral rites for the iconic figure.
The Former First Lady’s Final Hours
In a disclosure to the parliamentary delegation, the Head of the Family, (Abusuapanyin) revealed details surrounding Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ sudden demise. According to her first daughter, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the former First Lady was well and in high spirits the day before her death, having attended the burial service of her aunt on Wednesday, October 22.
The following morning, Thursday, October 23, she suddenly complained of feeling unwell and was immediately rushed to the nearby Ridge Hospital. Despite the tireless efforts of the medical team, doctors were tragically unable to save her life.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (1948 – 2025) – A Life of Pioneering Advocacy
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, born on November 17, 1948, was a towering figure in Ghanaian politics and a relentless champion for women’s rights. She served as the First Lady of Ghana on two occasions, briefly from June to September 1979, and then for a sustained period from December 1981 to January 2001, alongside her late husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Her most enduring legacy is the founding and presidency of the 31st December Women’s Movement (31st DWM) in 1982. This grassroots NGO became a formidable force, mobilising millions of women across Ghana to pursue economic empowerment, education, and social reform. Under her leadership, the movement spearheaded initiatives that significantly improved gender parity, established numerous pre-schools, and empowered women in decision-making processes, especially in rural areas.
In a landmark moment in Ghana’s democratic history, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings became the first woman to run for President of Ghana in 2016, a testament to her pioneering spirit and political ambition. She was educated at the Ghana International School and Achimota School, where she met Jerry John Rawlings, and later studied Art and Textiles at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. She passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind an indelible mark on Ghana’s political and social landscape.
Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
