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

Published

1 month 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

Sunny Irakpo Launches SILEC International Magazine in America

Published

17 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Eric

Drug Use Prevention Advocate, Founder and President of SILEC Initiatives, and U.S. Department of State Exchange Alumnus, Ambassador Sunny Irakpo, has unveiled SILEC International Magazine (SIM), a groundbreaking media platform exclusively dedicated to reporting drug-related issues across Africa, the United States, and the global community.

The announcement was made during a strategic meeting with partners in New Jersey, where Ambassador Irakpo is currently participating in a series of community-based and public-safety initiatives to deepen his expertise in combating substance use disorders and illicit drug trafficking both in the United States and worldwide.

A First-of-Its-Kind Platform for Drug-Focused Journalism

Ambassador Irakpo emphasized that SIM is designed to shape public consciousness by promoting value-driven storytelling and providing credible information on the rising tide of drug abuse and illicit trafficking—a crisis he describes as “a looming danger destroying the vibrant youth populations of many nations.”

He noted that the magazine will spotlight the work of NGOs, CEOs, advocates, and policymakers, churches, and companies with strong social responsibility particularly from African perspectives, while amplifying influential voices and advancing global understanding of effective anti-drug efforts.

Drawing inspiration from media leaders such as Dele Momodu, Chairman of Ovation Media Group, and Dr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television, Irakpo described SIM as “a beacon of hope and a tool for societal transformation.”

Recognizing U.S. Efforts Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking

Ambassador Irakpo commended the United States for its continued commitment to combating drug trafficking and addiction—efforts strengthened under previous and current administrations. He particularly noted that the U.S. government under President Donald Trump demonstrated “exceptional courage, political will, and capacity in confronting the opioid crisis and the destructive forces fueling illicit drug trade,” encouraging world leaders to emulate such resolve.

He reiterated that addressing substance abuse requires a combination of drug-demand reduction, citizen sensitization, international collaboration, and sustained public education.

A Platform With Social Impact and Youth Empowerment at Its Core

Irakpo highlighted SIM as a top-tier media platform that will not only drive awareness but also create employment opportunities for young people and support underprivileged students—particularly in Nigeria, where more than 20 million children remain out of school due to financial hardship.

He added that SIM will serve as a sustainability engine for the ongoing anti-drug overdose campaigns of SILEC Initiatives, a leading nonprofit that has educated and sensitized communities for nearly two decades.

Experienced Editorial Leadership

As SIM prepares for its U.S. take-off, Irakpo announced the appointment of veteran journalist Julius Eto as Chairman of the Editorial Board. Eto brings more than four decades of experience across Nigeria’s premier news organizations, including The Guardian, ThisDay, The Punch, Daily Times, and The Trumpet.

He will be joined by distinguished academics including Prof. Oscar Odion Odiboh and other seasoned professionals committed to advancing the magazine’s mission.

A Call for Media Reawakening and Global Collaboration

Ambassador Irakpo called for a media renaissance in Nigeria to strengthen societal values and elevate African leadership in global discourse. SIM, he said, intends to claim its rightful place as “an African voice on the world stage.”

With the official launch of SILEC International Magazine (SIM) scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 in the United States, Ambassador Irakpo extended an invitation to corporate organizations, development partners, and well-meaning individuals worldwide to support this far-reaching vision.

“With hope, determination, and the resilience symbolized by the eagle, SIM is prepared to soar across the globe. Members of the public are respectfully enjoined to visit our friendly, rich anti-drug abuse website, www.silecinitiatives.org.ng,” he added.

Featured

How Tinubu Helped to Crush Military Coup in Benin Republic – Presidency

Published

20 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Eric

The Presidency, on Sunday night, said acting on the two requests by the authorities of Benin Republic, President Bola Tinubu ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped.

The Presidency, in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu commended the swift response of the gallantry of Nigeria’s military.

The statement read: “President Bola Tinubu has commended the gallantry of Nigeria’s military on Sunday for responding swiftly to the request by the Government of Benin Republic to save its 35-year-old democracy from coup plotters who struck at dawn today.

“Acting on two separate requests from the Government of Benin, President Tinubu first ordered Nigerian Air Force fighter jets to enter the country and take over the airspace to help dislodge the coup plotters from the National TV and a military camp where they had regrouped.

“The Republic of Benin, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a Note Verbal, requested immediate Nigerian air support “in view of the urgency and seriousness of the situation and to safeguard the constitutional order, protect national institutions and ensure the security of the population.”

“In the second request, the authorities in Benin requested the deployment of Nigerian Air Force assets within Beninoise airspace for surveillance and rapid intervention operations under Benin-led coordination.

“The Benin government also requested Nigerian ground forces, “strictly for missions approved by the Beninese Command authority in support of the protection of constitutional institutions and the containment of armed Groups.”

“Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said all the requests have been fulfilled, with Nigerian ground forces now in Benin.

“Ours is to comply with the order of the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, President Tinubu,” he said.

He further stated: “Constitutional order was upended in the Republic of Benin, Nigeria’s neighbour, when some soldiers led by Colonel Pascal Tigri announced a coup on Sunday morning. The putschists seized the National TV and claimed they had toppled President Patrice Talon and suspended all democratic institutions.

“It took some hours before the government’s loyal forces, assisted by Nigeria, took control and flushed out the coup plotters from the National TV.

“In his remarks after the restoration of the democratic and constitutional order, President Tinubu saluted the Nigerian armed forces for standing firm as a protector and defender of democracy.

“Today, the Nigerian armed forces stood gallantly as a defender and protector of constitutional order in the Republic of Benin on the invitation of the government. Our armed forces acted within the ambit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“They have helped stabilise a neighbouring country and have made us proud of their commitment to sustaining our democratic values and ideals since 1999. Nigeria stands firmly with the government and people of the Republic of Benin.”

Featured

Ozekhome, Wife Josephine, Celebrate 34 Years of Marital Bliss

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Popular Constitution lawyer and renowned human rights activist, Prof Mike Ozekhome, and wife, Lady Josephine Ozekhome, has celebrated 34 years of living together as husband and wife.

The couple took time out to shower love, encomium and affection on each other, celebrating the goodness of Godd upon their lives and home in the last 34 years.

Speaking exclusively to The Boss, Ozekhome noted that on a day like this “I remember how we started; how we weathered the storm together, and conquered together. She is the best companion anyone can have, and I’m very proud of her, and to be her husband.”

Ozekhome once stated that his wife is “a great woman of uncommon virtues and humanity; my jewel of inestimable value, soulmate, sister, best friend and mother.”

While the wife is identified as Lady (Dr) (Senior High Chief) Josephine Mike Ozekhome LL.M, LSM, LL.D. D.Sc., the renowned constitution lawyer, a dotting and loving husband, and firebrand pro-masses Advocate, os identified as Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN, CON, OFR, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Litt,D.Sc., among a host of other watering achievements.