News about the death of former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, wife of late former President Flt. Jerry John Rawlings, made the rounds yesterday morning as a rumour.
Many were hesitant in spreading the rumour of the former First Lady’s passing as they were not trusting social media when it comes to such matters.
But when they eventually received confirmation, it spread like wildfire in a scorched forest.
Information gathered so far indicates that she passed on at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital at Ridge, aged 76.
She joins her husband who died on November 12, 2020, 20 days away from the anniversary of his transition.
She carved an image of a strong woman during the revolution led by her husband and when he metamorphosed into a civilian president.
In the course of her husband’s new role as leader of a military junta, she made herself relevant through assortment of feminine empowerment engagements such as the 31st December Women’s Movement et al.
Political History
Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was born on November 17, 1948 and became the First Lady from June 4, 1979 to September 24, 1979 and from December 31, 1981 to January 7, 2001.
Her political ambition drove her to become the first female to vie for the position of President in 2016, when she formed a political party – the National Democratic Party (NDP). She won 0.16% of the votes cast in the 2020 general election.
She had fallen out with the political party her husband founded, the NDC, not enthused with the management of the party when her husband took leave of its activities.
Her book, ‘It Takes A Woman,’ published in 2018, added to her growing political stature in the affairs of politics in Ghana.
She was elected First Vice Chairperson of the NDC in 2009 and later in 2011.
Her attempt at becoming the flagbearer of the NDC in 2012 against Prof. JEA Mills failed.
Her no-love-lost relationship with the NDC until she took her last breath is household knowledge in the political space of the country.
‘My desire is to see the emancipation of women at every level of development to enable them to contribute and benefit from the socio-economic and political progress of the country.Women’s vital role of promoting peace in the family, the country and the world at large must be acknowledged. And to do this, they must be empowered politically to equip them adequately for the challenges of critically identifying and assessing solutions for the betterment of society,’ a release from her during her heydays sums up the goal of the 31st December Women’s Movement of which she was president.
Her movement is credited with setting up more than 870 pre-schools in Ghana, besides giving impetus to early child development.
Her work in women’s development and empowerment, she is reported to have said, would not end even with the exit of her husband from the presidency.
Her role in the adoption of an ‘Intestate Succession Law,’ which is applicable to the survivors of anyone dying without a will, is widely acknowledged in the country.
Biography
She was born in Cape Coast, Central Region of Ghana to J. O. T. Agyeman and his wife, having attended the prestigious Ghana International School from where she proceeded to Achimota School where as fate would have it, she met her future spouse.
At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, she studied Art and Textiles.
She is credited with designing the NDC logo of an eagle sitting on an umbrella.
The political activism in her was manifest when she became a student leader of her hall of residence, Africa Hall, at the university.
She pursued various courses after her university education, one of them being a diploma course in Interior Design at the London College of Arts, the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and the John Hopkins University in the US.
Nana Konadu married the Ghana Air Force officer Jerry John Rawlings in 1977, a union which was blessed with their first child, Zanetor in 1978. She also bore Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi.
She would be remembered by her unique headgear style and the signature beret of the 31st December Women’s Movement.
Tributes Pour In
Several high-profile figures have expressed condolences to the family of the late Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings following her passing.
President John Mahama, following the departure of Nana Konadu, paid a solemn tribute before the swearing-in ceremony of 37 newly appointed High Court judges at the Jubilee House yesterday.
The President stated, ‘This afternoon, I received a delegation of the children of our late mother, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, to inform me about her untimely and unfortunate passing. As we rise and pay a moment of silence to her memory, may the Almighty God grant her a peaceful rest in His bosom. Thank you. Amen.’
Swiss Ambassador to Ghana, Simone Giger, paid tribute on social media, saying, ‘Deeply saddened by the passing of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings. A woman I’ve admired for her determination and dedication to women’s rights. A trailblazer, an inspiration, and a person I’ve been honoured to call a friend. My thoughts are with her family.’