Ghanaians from every walk of life gathered to bid farewell to an illustrious daughter of the soil, one whose indelible imprint fortified the Fourth Republic and championed the advancement of women across the nation.
Hailed as the “Mother of Ghana’s contemporary democratic journey,” her legacy is inseparable from the 19-year stewardship of her late husband, Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings, whom she supported with unwavering conviction and purpose.
Tribute after tribute rose like a solemn chorus across the Black Star Square, where the nation assembled in her honour. Each voice echoed a shared reverence for a woman whose influence stretched beyond her era, reaching into the aspirations of generations yet to come.
Nana Konadu, founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, is remembered as a transformative force whose activism and unyielding advocacy shaped Ghana’s gender and social development agenda. Public tributes have hailed her as “a national treasure”, “an indomitable spirit”, and “a beacon of women’s empowerment”. Among them was a message from Switzerland’s Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, who praised her “determination and dedication to women’s rights”.
Beyond public service, she was known for her vibrant love for fashion, music, dance and the creative arts. Her elegance and confidence made her an enduring symbol of cultural pride.
Born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast to J.O.T. Agyeman and Felicia Agyeman, Nana Konadu grew up in an environment shaped by discipline, ambition and leadership.
She attended Achimota School, later studying Arts with a focus on Textile Design at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where she served as Deputy SRC Secretary and later SRC Secretary. She was also active within the National Union of Ghana Students.
Nana Konadu worked with the Union Trading Company from 1974 to 1980 before joining Nanali Africarts, where she served until 1984. It was during this period that she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, which helped redefine women’s empowerment across Ghana.
In 1977, she married Jerry John Rawlings, then an Air Force officer who would later become Head of State and President. Their marriage was blessed with four children — Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi — and became a partnership that significantly shaped Ghana’s political history and the advancement of gender equality.
