Ghana bid a heartfelt farewell to Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the country’s longest-serving First Lady, at a solemn state funeral held on November 28, 2025, at the Black Star Square in Accra.
Thousands of mourners, including government officials, traditional rulers, diplomats, gender activists, and citizens, gathered to pay tribute to a woman whose legacy profoundly shaped Ghana’s political and social landscape.
The funeral ceremony followed a solemn Requiem Mass at the Accra Ridge Church on November 26, which set the tone for the final rites.
Nana Konadu, founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, was celebrated as a transformative figure in women’s empowerment and social development. She was remembered as an indomitable spirit and a beacon of gender advocacy, whose work left an indelible mark on Ghanaian society.
Tributes hailed her as a national treasure known for her elegance, confidence, and cultural pride.
Born in 1948 in Cape Coast, Nana Konadu was highly educated, attending Achimota School and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and earning diplomas in interior design, personnel management, and policy studies.
She married Jerry John Rawlings in 1977, forming a partnership that influenced Ghanaian politics and women’s advancement for decades. Beyond politics, she was cherished for her vibrant love of fashion, music, and the arts.
The state funeral, attended by former presidents including John Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo, marked the culmination of national mourning declared after her passing on October 23, 2025.
Flags flew at half-mast nationwide as Ghana reflected on her legacy of dedication to national development and gender equality, while her family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from the nation.
This farewell not only honored Nana Konadu’s life and work but also reinforced her lasting impact as a pioneering advocate for women’s rights and social progress in Ghana.