Presidency Mourns Trailblazing Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings: ‘A Pillar of Empowerment and Resilience’
The Presidency of Ghana has issued a somber official announcement confirming the passing of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the nation’s former First Lady and founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, who died on the morning of October 23, 2025, after a short illness.
The statement, laced with “deep regret and profound sorrow,” pays tribute to her indelible contributions to women’s empowerment, social justice, and Ghana’s democratic journey, extending heartfelt condolences to her family, the Rawlings legacy, and the broader NDC family.
Official Press Release from the Presidency of the Republic of Ghana
October 23, 2025
The Presidency of the Republic of Ghana announces with deep regret and profound sorrow the passing of Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady of the Republic and Founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement.
Mrs. Rawlings passed away this morning, October 23, 2025, after a short illness at the Ridge Hospital in Accra. She was 77 years old.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was a towering figure in Ghana’s political, social, and cultural landscape. As the wife of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, she served as First Lady from 1981 to 2001, during which she championed the cause of women and marginalized communities with unwavering passion and dedication. Through the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she founded in 1982, she mobilized thousands of women across the country, fostering economic independence, political participation, and gender equality in an era of profound transformation.
Her visionary leadership extended beyond her time as First Lady. In 2006, she co-founded the National Democratic Party (NDP), contesting the 2016 presidential election and inspiring a new generation of activists with her commitment to social justice and progressive ideals. Nana Konadu’s life was a testament to resilience, courage, and an unyielding fight for the voiceless—a legacy that will continue to inspire Ghanaians for generations to come.
The Government of Ghana extends its deepest condolences to her children—Zina, Yaa Asantewaa, Kimathi, and Amina Agyeman-Rawlings—the extended Rawlings family, and all those whose lives she touched profoundly. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Signed,
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, MP
Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications
The announcement has sparked an outpouring of grief across the nation, with tributes flooding social media and public spaces. President John Dramani Mahama, a longtime ally of the Rawlingses, described her as “a sister, a fighter, and a beacon of women’s rights,” while NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia hailed her as “the mother of our revolution.” Opposition figures, including NPP’s Mahamudu Bawumia, also offered sympathies, noting her “unforgettable impact on Ghanaian society.”
Nana Konadu’s recent public engagements, including her poignant presence at the Dote Yie funeral rites for the late Asantehemaa in September and the wreath-laying for victims of a recent helicopter crash, underscored her enduring grace and solidarity until her final days. As Ghana pauses to honor this icon, her words from a 2020 interview resonate: “Power is not in holding office, but in uplifting the people.” Her passing marks the end of an era, but her spirit endures in the women and movements she ignited.
