Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a pioneering figure whose dedication to women’s empowerment has left an indelible mark on Ghana’s history.
In his moving statement, the former president celebrated Nana Konadu as a transformational leader who reshaped the role of women in public life.
“Undoubtedly one of the most influential Ghanaian women of her generation, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, became the very embodiment of the struggle for women’s self-empowerment,” he said.
Akufo-Addo recalled her courageous involvement in national activism during the politically turbulent periods of the June 4 Uprising and the December 31 Revolution, highlighting how she leveraged those moments to create a strong platform for women.
“Bold, dynamic, and eloquent, she seized the opportunities arising from her late husband, Jerry John Rawlings’ prominent role in these events to establish the 31st December Women’s Movement, emerging as a leading advocate for women’s rights and empowerment initiatives in our country.”
He noted that her impact extended beyond Ghana, earning her recognition as one of Africa’s most prominent female leaders. He cited her 2018 appointment to lead Ghana’s delegation to the funeral of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, adding, “She was not a member or sympathizer of my government, yet I believed, as I still do, that she was the most fitting Ghanaian woman for that role.”
While acknowledging that she, like many historical figures, faced controversy, Akufo-Addo emphasized that her legacy is indisputable. “Even though I was neither partisan nor a supporter of the 31st December Revolution, I had no hesitation in recognizing the positive impact the 31st December Women’s Movement had on the advancement of Ghanaian women. Her place in history is secure.”
He also fondly remembered her personal warmth and charm: “She was a vivacious, sparkling woman whose company and wit I greatly enjoyed… She will be deeply missed.”
The former president extended his condolences to her family: “We offer our deepest sympathies to her children, Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi; to her extended family; and to the entire Ghanaian nation on the loss of this remarkable woman.”
He concluded with a prayer for her eternal rest:
“May God bless her and grant her soul a peaceful abode in His Bosom until the Last Day of Resurrection, when we shall all meet again.”
Source: happyghana.com
