A Nation Mourns: Ghana loses its iron lady and mother of women's empowerment

The Zongo Caucus of NDC UK and Ireland mourns as Ghana, our beloved nation, stands united in profound grief as one of her most formidable daughters, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the age of 76.

Her departure leaves an irreplaceable void in the heart of our democracy and the soul of women's advocacy across

the continent.

Ghana has lost more than a former First Lady; we have lost a visionary who transformed the political landscape and redefined the possibilities for women in our society.

For nearly five decades, Nana Konadu stood as an unwavering pillar of strength, dedication, and service to our beloved nation. Her legacy transcends political affiliations and speaks to the universal values of courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to social justice.

As the longest-serving First Lady in Ghana's history, spanning from 1979 to 2001, Nana Konadu elevated the role from ceremonial duties to active advocacy. She became the architect of women's empowerment in Ghana, establishing the transformative 31st December Women's Movement in 1982.

This movement became a powerful force for change, mobilising over two million women across the country and establishing more than 870 pre-schools that enabled countless mothers to pursue economic opportunities whilst ensuring their children received quality early education.

Her contributions to our constitutional democracy remain immeasurable. She championed the passage of the Intestate Succession Law, which guaranteed inheritance rights for women and children, fundamentally altering the legal landscape for gender equality.

Her advocacy also ensured that Ghana became the first country globally to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, demonstrating her commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our society.

The National Democratic Congress mourns the loss of a founding mother whose dedication shaped the party's values and vision. Though she courageously chose a different political path in later years, her foundational contributions to the NDC remain etched in our party's DNA.

Her decision to challenge President John Atta Mills for the party's flagbearership in 2011 demonstrated her fearless commitment to democratic principles, even when it meant challenging established norms.

When she subsequently established the National Democratic Party, she shattered political glass ceilings and inspired a generation of women to aspire to the highest offices in the land.

Her courage in this endeavour reflects the indomitable spirit that characterised her entire public life.

Today, as we extend our deepest condolences to her children, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi, we acknowledge the profound pain they endure, having lost both parents within five years. The Rawlings’ family has given immeasurably to Ghana's development, and the nation stands with them during this period of immense sorrow.

Nana Konadu's life exemplifies the transformative power of dedicated service. She stands alongside other remarkable Ghanaian women who have shaped our nation's destiny.

Her legacy challenges every woman across Ghana and Africa to recognise their potential as an agents of change and a driver of progress.

As we mourn this tremendous loss, let us also celebrate the extraordinary life of a woman who dared to dream of a Ghana where women could lead, succeed, and thrive.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings may have departed, but her vision for an empowered, equitable Ghana lives on in every woman who refuses to accept limitations and every child who benefits from the foundations she laid.

Ghana salutes her memory. Africa honours her legacy. History will remember her courage. May her soul rest in perfect peace.