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Life and Times of Ghana’s Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

Published

6 months ago

October 26, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The curtains fell on one of Ghana’s most politically savvy individuals, Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, on October 23, 2025, when she bowed to the cold hands of death, at the age of 76.

Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings was not only well tutored in the act of politics, but was also a former First Lady, married to one of Ghana’s respected presidents, John Jerry Rawlings, who died in November, 2020. Her trajectory in the political terrain gave her the superwoman status as her fierce approach and fearlessly in the field ensured that she was never a push away.

In addition, being married to Jerry Rawlings gave her added impetus and wisdom in the political circle, a situation she maximized to the advantage of the people of Ghana. Though she never the election to become president, she consistently kept the ruling on their toes with her constructive opposition as both as a party founder, and a former presidential candidate.

She was born on November 17, 1948 to the late J.O.T. Agyeman and his wife in Cape Coast, Central region of Ghana, and had her early education Ghana International School, ans proceeded to Achimota School before moving to the University of Science and Technology where she read Art, specializing in Textiles, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. At school, she was politically vibrant, becoming a student leader of her hall of residence, Africa Hall.

Nana Konadu also earned an Interior Design Diploma from the London College of Arts in 1975, as well as acquired a Diploma in Advanced Personnel Management from Ghana’s Management Development and Productivity Institute in 1979, and a Certificate in Development from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 1991.

In her quest for more knowledge, she enrolled at Johns Hopkins University Maryland, USA in 1994, obtaining a Senior Fellow Diploma in Policy Studies and Non-Profit Sector of Economic Development among others.

Prior to her further academic pursuit, Nana Konadu worked at Ghana Tourist Board Accra, Ghana in 1973.

Between 1974 – 1980, she worked at Union Trading Company in Accra, before proceeding to Nanali Africarts Accra where she worked between 1980- 1984.

It is documented that within the period under review, she set up the much talked about 31st December Women’s Movement in Accra, an NGO focused on women empowerment.

Earlier in 1977, Nana Konadu had married an Airforce Officer, Jerry John Rawlings, whom she met during her at Achimota, and with whom she weathered the storm of life and politics till he died in 2020, and they both had four children; Ezenator Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi.

During her days as Rawlings’ wife, she was First Lady of Ghana from June 4, 1979 to September 24, 1979, when Rawlings servered briefly aa a military head of state. They returned to office December 31, 1981 following a military coup, and ruled till 1992 when Rawlings was elected as a civilian president. They finally stepped aside from government on January 7, 2001 after serving two terms of four years.

She upped her game in 2016, becoming the first woman to run for President of Ghana under her own formed political party, National Democratic Party, after falling out with the National Democratic Congress. Though she was unsuccessful, she however, made a loud statement of the arrival of women in Ghana’s political frontier. Today, the vice president of Ghana is a woman.

In 2018, she published her book titled It Takes a Woman

Among the positions she held were the presidency of the 31st December Women’s Movement in 1982, elected First Vice Chairperson of the NDC in 2009 and later in 2011, she unsuccessfully challenged President John Atta Mills for the party’s presidential candidate position for election 2012, leading to the formation of her own party, the NDP. She made a second attempt at the Ghana presidency in 2020 having submitted her documents. But the her husband died in November of the same year, just a month to the election. Though she did not withdraw her participation, she however lost steam in the buildup to the election.

HER EMBRACE WITH WOMEN EMANCIPATION AND INCLUSIVENESS

As captured by Wikipedia, in a statement released by the Embassy of Ghana, the former First Lady stated: “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.”This was the goal of 31 December Women’s Movement of which Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was president. She described it as a “broad based development oriented Non-Governmental Organisation that aspires to achieve these objectives through the effective mobilisation of women.”

In addition, her movement – two million strong—has set up more than 870 pre-schools in Ghana and has worked actively to stir up interest for the accomplishment of child development and family planning.

Agyeman Rawlings said that she would continue to work in the women’s movement even if her husband were no longer president. Her husband led a military coup that seized power in 1981, although he was not established as head of state until the following year. The country successfully reverted to civilian rule in 1992 and held free elections. Calling the first lady “an instrumental part of the revolution in Ghana’s economy,” the Baltimore Afro-American reported that women were Ghana’s largest labor force, and they wanted to be a central part of the country’s redevelopment.

“Before December 31, 1981, they had no power of influence in law or politics–even the laws that pertained to them.” It was a grassroots movement, with women selling their land, clothes, and jewelry to get money.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings will be remembered as prolific politician and accomplished businesswoman, whose interest rest majorly in the empowerment and emancipation of women.

May her soul rest in perfect peace!

Featured

NAF Defends Borno-Yobe Border Market Airstrike

Published

2 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed carrying out an air operation in the Jilli axis of Borno State, describing the mission as part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The confirmation comes amid outrage that at least 56 people, mostly traders, were killed after an airstrike struck a busy weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday at Jilli Market, situated between Gubio in Borno State and Geidam in Yobe State.

Reports quoting eyewitness accounts said that four fighter jets were involved in the operation, which was said to be targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents in the area.

A local councilor, Malam Lawan Zanna, also confirmed the attack.

He said people tried to escape when the jets began firing, but the strikes continued.

According to him, “more than 20 people were hospitalized,” and some of the injured later died, pushing the death toll higher.

Confirming the incident, NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, stated that the strikes were conducted based on credible intelligence and in coordination with ground forces.

According to him, the operation was aimed at restricting the movement of terrorist elements and preventing further attacks.

“The follow-up strikes were executed based on credible intelligence and in close coordination with ground forces to deny terrorists freedom of movement and prevent further attacks.

He explained that the mission formed part of a broader air-ground strategy designed to consolidate previous gains made by military forces in the region.

“The operation formed part of a broader air-ground integration effort aimed at consolidating earlier gains recorded by friendly forces,” he said.

In addition, Ejodame noted that the strikes successfully disrupted insurgent activities within the Jilli axis, an area long considered a strategic enclave for terrorists due to its challenging terrain.

He added that the operation highlights the increasing effectiveness of intelligence-led joint missions in the North-East.

Reaffirming the force’s commitment, Ejodame said the NAF would continue to prioritize surveillance, precision targeting, and rapid response operations in support of wider military objectives.

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain the current operational momentum to protect innocent lives, secure communities, and restore lasting peace in the region,” he said.

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Police Probe Four Officers Accused of ‘Misconduct’ in Lagos

Published

3 days ago

April 12, 2026

Eric

The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos State, after a viral social media video.

The Force Media Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The complainant, Rhapstar, posted the video on X on April 4, alleging incivility by officers on surveillance duty.

In the clip, police officers stopped a vehicle, ordered occupants out, and searched one individual away from the roadside-parked vehicle.

The incident triggered widespread reaction, amid concerns over alleged harassment during a roadside stop-and-search operation.

Speaking on the incident on Saturday, Giwa said the Divisional Police Officer and implicated officers were summoned, adding that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Giwa wrote on X: “When (Rhapstar) posted the viral video on 4 April 2026, alleging misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos, we took the matter seriously and acted immediately.

“The DPO and the officers involved were summoned, statements were obtained, and detailed interviews were conducted.

“Preliminary findings indicate the incident occurred in May 2025. We are working to obtain additional details directly from the victims, as their accounts are central to the investigation.

“This process is not a cover-up; it is a demonstration of accountability.

“The leadership of the Force management team has emphasised that the rule of law is non-negotiable in the discharge of police duties nationwide. No officer is above accountability, and no incident is too old to investigate. The investigation is ongoing. We will provide regular updates.

“To every Nigerian who spoke up, your voice prompted accountability, as it should be.”

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Turaki Faction Kicks As Police Unseal PDP Secretariat

Published

3 days ago

April 12, 2026

Eric

The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of acting in contempt of court following the unsealing of its National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the development as a partisan move that undermines the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the police facilitated the takeover of the Wadata Plaza headquarters by individuals he described as “agents of the federal government and APC apologists masquerading as PDP members,” despite a pending appeal on the matter.

The PDP maintained that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik, which the police purportedly relied upon in unsealing the premises, is already under appeal.

According to the party, the police, being a party to the suit, had been duly served and were fully aware of the appellate process.

It argued that by proceeding to unseal the secretariat, the police had “tampered with the res”, (a legal terminology referring to the subject matter of litigation) thereby risking rendering the eventual judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory.

“It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law,” the statement read.

The party expressed disappointment that the police, under the leadership of the new Inspector General of Police, has continued what it described as a pattern of partisan conduct since the crisis began.

It alleged that officers of the force had consistently acted in support of a faction it labelled as “Wike-backed APC apologists,” thereby deepening internal tensions within the opposition party.

Despite its grievances, the PDP called on its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of public order.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace,” the statement added, while pledging to pursue all legal avenues to defend the rights of what it termed “genuine members” of the party.

The party also assured the public that it remained optimistic that the situation would be resolved in favour of democratic principles, warning against what it described as a “state-sponsored persecution and one-party drive.”

Invoking a note of hope, the PDP said the current challenges would ultimately give way to “joy and liberation,” expressing confidence in the restoration of what it called true democratic experience in the country.

The unsealing of the PDP secretariat marks the latest twist in the protracted leadership and legal tussle within the party, which has continued to generate political tension and raise concerns about institutional neutrality in Nigeria’s democratic process.