The Board and Executive Management of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) were among the thousands of mourners who gathered at the Black Star Square in Accra to honour the memory of former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. The delegation was led by the Authority's Chief Executive, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe and some Board Members.

The state funeral, held on Friday, November 28, in her honour, drew a diverse assembly of dignitaries, including government officials, envoys from various countries, and current and former First Ladies from across Africa.

The ceremony was steeped in solemnity, marked by heartfelt tributes and a rich display of Ashanti cultural heritage, befitting a royal daughter of the Ashanti Kingdom. Traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of international organisations, many of which had benefited from her advocacy, were also present to bid farewell.

During the funeral service, tributes were delivered by the family, the Asantehene, the children, and the President, among others. Significant tributes to Nana Konadu highlighted her work on women’s empowerment, education, daycare centres, literacy programmes, economic opportunities, and social welfare.

President

President John Dramani Mahama served as Chief Mourner, describing the late former First Lady as the “Matriarch of the Fourth Republic.” He said Nana Konadu was a “pre-eminent advocate for women’s empowerment” and a national treasure whose lifelong commitment to social progress left “an indelible mark on Ghana.”

He said her legacy of courage, service, and transformational leadership will inspire generations. He noted that she “walked with purpose long before the nation learned to call her a leader,” and that through her work she opened doors for thousands, especially women and girls, in social welfare, education, and economic empowerment.

A Word from Dr Bampoe 

Dr Bampoe also described the late former First Lady as an indispensable figure in Ghana’s national story. “The history of Ghana cannot be written without reference to the late H.E. Nana Konadu,” he said. “As the longest serving First Lady, she shaped many dimensions of our national life, particularly in the areas of women’s empowerment and gender advancement.

“Through the 31st of December Women’s Movement, which she founded and led, she elevated the role of Ghanaian women in our economic and social development to unprecedented levels. She also helped to project Ghana positively on the global stage.” Dr. Bampoe added that her legacy extended deeply into the political tradition she helped nurture.

“As the wife of the Founder of the National Democratic Congress, H.E. Nana Konadu holds a special place in the hearts of all of us who subscribe to the values of the NDC,” he noted. “Fare thee well, H.E. Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings. You have played your part, and it has been a remarkably significant one.”

Highlight of tributes

Her family said that in her compassion, “we saw hope”, recalling that she used her life to uplift generations and defend the voiceless, especially women and children. Her children described her as a “tireless patriot” who lived by her values with unshakable conviction. They said she confronted problems directly, believing no challenge was beneath her attention, and that she turned advocacy into action.

At the funeral, her grandchildren called her “our hero,” saying her impact and memories will remain deeply etched in their hearts, and pledging to honour her legacy by living boldly and fully as she did.

Her political party, National Democratic Party (NDP), called her their “guiding light,” emphasising that her moral strength, intellectual clarity, and lifelong advocacy for the underprivileged remain central to the party’s identity. National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials said, “thank you for the foundations you laid”, acknowledging that her service, courage, and the lives she uplifted will never be erased from Ghana’s history.

The 31st of December Women’s Movement described Nana Konadu as “a mother.” They recalled how she believed in members even when they doubted themselves, encouraged them beyond their comfort zones, and taught them to live with confidence and boldness by working hard to boost their socio-economic status.

Outside partisan lines, many described her as “a true national treasure,” “an indomitable spirit,” and “a beacon of women’s empowerment.”

Who is She

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who passed away on October 23 at age 76, served as Ghana’s First Lady for 18 years across the AFRC, PNDC, and constitutional eras of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

Beyond her ceremonial role, she became a pivotal champion of women’s rights and social justice, founding the 31st of December Women’s Movement in 1982 and influencing major national policies. Her advocacy reached the global stage through her role in the 1995 UN Women’s Conference in Beijing, for which she was planning 30th anniversary commemorations before her death.

In 2012, she established the National Democratic Party after leaving the NDC, and in 2016 became the first woman to contest Ghana’s presidency on the NDP ticket. She leaves behind a distinguished legacy of courage, leadership, and lifelong commitment to empowering women and vulnerable groups.

Source: Doreen Andoh

Picture Credit: Isaac Hagan and Ebenezer Danso