The 31st December Women’s Movement has honoured the late Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, as a genuine emblem of African womanhood, recognising her lasting impact on women in Ghana and throughout the continent.
Delivering a tribute on Friday, November 28, during her state funeral at Black Star Square, the Movement reflected on her decades of advocacy, compassion, and dedication to uplifting the vulnerable, especially women and children.
They emphasised how, under Nana Konadu’s leadership, the movement evolved from a small assembly of committed women into one of the most powerful forces for empowerment in Ghana’s history, portraying her as a hero whose influence and memories will forever be ingrained in their hearts.
“She was bold, articulate, principled and deeply dedicated to the people she served. She taught us to be fearless, to stand for justice and to serve with integrity. Her voice carried the wisdom of experience, the strength of conviction and the hope of a brighter Ghana with many more women contributing at decision-making levels. Even beyond Ghana’s borders, Her Excellency stood as a symbol of African womanhood and leadership. She represented our nation at international forums, championing gender equality and the rights of children,” the Movement stated.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings transitioned to eternal rest on October 23, 2025.
As the longest-serving First Lady of Ghana, she occupied this role during her husband Jerry John Rawlings’ military and civilian governments—serving from June 4 to September 24, 1979, under the AFRC, from December 31, 1981, to January 6, 1993, under the PNDC, and throughout his two constitutional terms from January 7, 1993, to January 6, 2001.
In addition to her duties as First Lady, she was a trailblazer in women’s empowerment and political activism. She established the 31st December Women’s Movement and subsequently the National Democratic Party (NDP). In June 2012, she separated from the NDC to create the NDP. Although the Electoral Commission disqualified her and 11 others in 2012 for not fulfilling nomination criteria, she made a comeback to contest the 2016 election on the NDP platform.
Her impact reached beyond the political arena. Renowned for her unique fashion style, love for the arts, and dynamic personality, she became a lasting symbol of confidence and cultural representation.
Friday’s ceremony served as the nation’s final homage to a woman whose voice, bravery, and activism influenced national dialogue for over four decades.
