ACCRA, Nov 28 (The African Portal) – The 31st December Women’s Movement has paid an emotional tribute to the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a true symbol of African womanhood whose legacy continues to shape the lives of women and children across Ghana and beyond.
Representatives of the movement delivered the tribute on Friday during the state funeral held at Black Star Square in Accra. They reflected on her decades-long campaign for women’s empowerment, social welfare and protection of vulnerable groups.
According to the movement, Nana Konadu’s leadership transformed a small collective of committed women into one of the most influential advocacy forces in Ghana’s recent history. They said her name would remain “indelibly written” in their memories.
“She was bold, articulate, principled and deeply dedicated to the people she served,” the tribute read. “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 more women participating in decision-making.”
The movement added that Nana Konadu’s influence resonated beyond Ghana’s borders, noting her appearances on international platforms where she championed gender equality and the rights of children.
Agyeman-Rawlings died on Oct. 23 at Ridge Hospital in Accra. Her death prompted tributes from political leaders, civil society groups and citizens who credited her with shaping gender and social development policies over several decades.
Parliament suspended its sitting after the announcement of her death. Her family has requested privacy during the mourning period.
Agyeman-Rawlings was married to Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving head of state and later president, who died in 2020. The couple had four children.
Before her activism work, she held positions at the Union Trading Company from 1974 to 1980 and later at Nanali Africarts. In 1984 she established the 31st December Women’s Movement, which ran social programmes to enhance women’s economic and political participation.
Government officials, diplomats and members of the public are gathered at Black Star Square for the ceremony, which continues into the afternoon.
Born on Nov. 17, 1948, in Cape Coast, she studied Textile Design at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology before pursuing additional academic programmes in the United Kingdom and the United States.
