Ambassador Mona Quartey eulogizes Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

Former Deputy Finance Minister and Ghana’s Ambassador, Mona Quartey, has paid an emotional tribute to the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.

She described her as a towering force in women’s empowerment, leadership, and social transformation.

She shared the reflections during a radio interview on Thursday, November 28, 2028, as the nation continues to honour the memory of the trailblazing stateswoman.

Ambassador Quartey said her relationship with the former First Lady dated back to her youth, beginning when the Rawlings administration took office.

“For me, when the Rawlingses came into office in 1981, I was still in sixth form and the following year entered KNUST. I describe myself as a baby of the revolution,” she said.

She explained that she first encountered Nana Konadu through her sisters, one of whom worked alongside her at Obuasi.
“Through her sister, who was a physiotherapist, I met Nana Konadu. We used to chat a lot about women’s empowerment, and she was always interested in making sure that young women like us were positioned properly,” she said.

Ambassador Quartey highlighted the transformative impact of the 31st December Women’s Movement, describing it as one of her fondest memories of the former First Lady.

“It was clear at that time that women needed to be empowered financially. As you know, it is my area of expertise, and I was very happy that we began to focus on women becoming entrepreneurs, not just market women. The movement created real opportunities for women to do well,” she stated.

She added that Nana Konadu was instrumental in pushing women into leadership roles across public institutions.
“She ensured that women got positions in the public service at higher levels. That was very important for many of us. I was a beneficiary of that support, eventually rising to become part of the top executive at Ashanti Goldfields and later Deputy Finance Minister,” she noted.

Ambassador Quartey also remembered other influential women of the era, including the late Sherry Ayittey and Madam Faustina Nelson, whom she described as part of a strong network that shaped her generation.
“She helped us build the kind of network that allowed us to move in our careers. She gave young ladies the assurance that they could work and still have a family. That was extremely important,” she added.

A solemn state funeral was held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Independence Square to bid farewell to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. The ceremony drew President John Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, senior government officials, and former presidents Nana Akufo-Addo, John Agyekum Kufuor, and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Hundreds of mourners and dignitaries joined the Rawlings family to honour the former First Lady, who passed away on October 23, 2025. Her death triggered three days of national mourning, with flags flown at half-mast nationwide.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is remembered not only as the spouse of former President Jerry John Rawlings but as a pioneering advocate for women’s rights, entrepreneurship, and social justice through the 31st December Women’s Movement.

Today’s funeral marked the end of weeks of national tributes celebrating her extraordinary contributions to Ghana’s political and social history.