Government has officially announced the passing of former First Lady and founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President and Minister of Government Communications, the government expressed deep sorrow over her demise.
“Government announces with deep regret and profound sorrow, the untimely passing of former First Lady and Founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, Her Excellency Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings. Mrs. Rawlings passed this morning after a short illness. Government extends its deepest condolences to her immediate family,” the statement read.
Mrs. Rawlings passed away at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) on Thursday morning. She was 76 years old.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast in the Central Region, Nana Konadu was the daughter of the late J.O.T. Agyeman and his wife.
Following her husband’s presidency, she became actively involved in politics and sought to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) — the party founded by her late husband, Jerry John Rawlings. In 2009, she was elected as the First Vice Chairperson of the party.
She later contested the NDC’s flagbearership in 2011 at the Sunyani Congress but lost, prompting her to break away to form the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2012. Nana Konadu subsequently contested the 2016 presidential election on the NDP ticket.
An alumna of Achimota School, she pursued a degree in Art, specializing in Textiles, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
She also earned qualifications in Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Advanced Personnel Management, and later pursued further studies at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
Beyond politics, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings was widely known for her advocacy for women’s empowerment.
Through the 31st December Women’s Movement, founded in 1982, she championed initiatives that improved the lives of millions of women in Ghana. The movement provided women with capital to start businesses, set up schools, and advocated for legal reforms to protect women’s inheritance rights.
She was married to the late former President Jerry John Rawlings in 1977, and they had four children — Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi Rawlings.
The government has extended its condolences to the Rawlings family as the nation mourns one of its most influential women leaders.
Below is a copy of the statement
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
