Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana's former First Lady, passed away at the age of 76. She was the widow of Jerry John Rawlings, who was the longest-serving leader of Ghana and passed away five years prior.
Her death, attributed to a short illness, has seen an outpouring of tributes on social media. As Ghana's former First Lady, she was an influential politician and a staunch advocate for women's rights.
Officials reported that her family officially informed President John Mahama about her passing, underscoring her impactful political legacy, which included founding the National Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside her late husband.
Although she had aspirations for political office, notably losing her bid for the NDC's presidential candidacy in 2012, her influence remained significant. She founded the 31st December Women’s Movement to empower women economically and socially in the aftermath of her husband's second coup in 1981.
With a background as a middle-class Cape Coast native, Agyeman-Rawlings was well-educated, having pursued studies in art and textiles. Her marriage to Jerry Rawlings led to a dynamic partnership that shaped Ghana's political landscape.
Nana Agyeman-Rawlings' advocacy extended into legislative reforms, contributing to laws that guaranteed women’s inheritance rights in 1989, and she played a crucial role in shaping provisions for gender equality within Ghana's 1992 constitution.
The parliament of Ghana has suspended sessions in tribute to her memory as the country prepares to officially mourn her passing. Agyeman-Rawlings leaves behind a compelling legacy of fighting for women's inclusion in politics and societal empowerment.
