New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady of Ghana, describing her as an enduring symbol of women’s empowerment and national service.
In a written statement shared on October 24, 2025, Agyapong said he received the news “with deep sadness,” and praised Agyeman-Rawlings for her “courage, conviction and unyielding commitment to the empowerment of women and the advancement of our nation.”
He emphasised her leadership role in the 31st December Women’s Movement as particularly transformative in opening doors for women in public life.
On behalf of his family, campaign team and the NPP, Agyapong extended his “deepest condolences” to the Rawlings family, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the National Democratic Party (NDP) and all Ghanaians mourning the loss of the “great Ghanaian woman.”
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was a towering figure in Ghana’s public life. She served as First Lady from 1981 to 2001 (and briefly in 1979) alongside her husband, the late President Jerry John Rawlings.
Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings is dead
Her work with the 31st December Women’s Movement is widely credited with driving gender inclusion initiatives, supporting women in communities and bringing women’s issues into national discourse.
In later years, she also led the National Democratic Party (NDP), after parting ways with the NDC.
She passed away on October 23, 2025, at Ridge Hospital in Accra after a brief illness. She was 76 years old.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has declared three days of national mourning in her honour. All national flags are to be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.
ID/AM
Scenes from Accra Ridge Hospital after news of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ death
Kimathi Rawlings and other prominent figures depart residence after brief meeting