Akufo-Addo eulogizes Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a trailblazer in women’s empowerment and a beloved national figure.

In a heartfelt message posted on X on Friday morning, the former president said he and his wife, Rebecca, were “deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of the wife of the late first President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings, the longest serving First Lady in our history and the Founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, H.E. Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.”

Mr. Akufo-Addo paid tribute to Mrs. Rawlings’ lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality, noting that her initiatives under the 31st December Women’s Movement transformed the landscape of women’s participation in development.

“As a role model for women in Ghana and across Africa, Mrs. Rawlings’ gender advocacy and women empowerment initiatives remain impactful to this day.

Her commitment to the growth of the women’s movement in Ghana and Africa can never be forgotten,” he said.

He further recalled her warmth and charm, describing her as “a warm and affectionate woman, with a good sense of humour and excellent company.”

Mr. Akufo-Addo, who served as Ghana’s president from 2017 to 2025, conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family, especially the children of the late Jerry John Rawlings and the former First Lady.

“Rebecca, my children, and I extend our deepest condolences to her children and family on this sad occasion. May her soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall meet again,” the message read.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who died on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra, was one of Ghana’s most prominent political figures and the country’s longest-serving First Lady.

She was widely respected for her pioneering role in advancing the cause of women through the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she founded in 1982 to promote literacy, health care, and economic empowerment for rural women.

Her death has triggered a wave of tributes from across the political spectrum, with many describing her as an iconic figure whose influence extended beyond Ghana’s borders.

Mrs. Rawlings was 76.