GHANA BIDS FINAL FAREWELL TO NANA KONADU AGYEMAN-RAWLINGS AT STATE FUNERAL
The nation united at Black Star Square to honor the legacy of its longest-serving First Lady, celebrated as a fearless advocate for women's rights and a transformative force in Ghana's development.
Ghana paid its final respects to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings on Thursday, November 28, in a state funeral that drew thousands to Black Star Square, commemorating the life of a woman who reshaped the role of First Lady and championed gender equality and social justice.
The ceremony, attended by government officials, diplomats, traditional leaders, and citizens from across the nation, reflected her stature as a national icon and royal figure. It followed a Requiem Mass held at the Accra Ridge Church on Wednesday, where emotional tributes highlighted her profound influence on Ghana’s political and social landscape.
Nana Konadu, who passed away on October 23, 2025, was widely remembered as the visionary founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which advanced women’s rights, reproductive health, and economic empowerment at a time when such issues received little attention.
Public tributes poured in celebrating her as “a national treasure” and “a beacon of women’s empowerment.” Switzerland’s Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, praised her unwavering dedication to gender equality, while former Minister of Trade and Industry Ekwow Spio-Garbrah described her as an “indomitable force whose legacy will endure for generations.”
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu was educated at Achimota School and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she studied textile design. She furthered her education with diplomas in interior design and personnel management, as well as studies at Johns Hopkins University.
Her marriage to former President Jerry John Rawlings in 1977 formed one of Ghana’s most influential political partnerships, blessed with four children: Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi.
Beyond her public roles, Nana Konadu was admired for her elegance, love for fashion, and deep appreciation for Ghanaian arts and culture. As the nation bid her farewell, her legacy was celebrated as one of resilience, leadership, and transformative impact—a lasting inspiration for generations of Ghanaians.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
