Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was not only Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady; she was the embodiment of elegance, confidence and cultural pride.
Her fashion sense told a story far beyond fabric and colour; it was a reflection of leadership, womanhood, and a deep reverence for African heritage.
From her regal kente ensemble to her immaculate headwraps, every look she wore seemed to whisper a message of power and poise.
Her headwraps, the Ghanaian duku, became a kind of crown.
She tied them high, so they framed her face like an artwork. The wrap enhanced her presence without saying a word.
From the kaba and slits — tailored with precision — to the belts that defined her silhouette, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings mastered the art of dressing with intention.
These attributes never went unnoticed.
The former First Lady was due for a tourism honour next month to celebrate her fashion sense that modelled African culture and dignity before her passing was confirmed last Thursday.
Creativity
For many fashion designers, her passing represents a significant loss, not only to the tourism sector but to Ghana’s creative and fashion industries.
Nana Konadu with her son, Kimathi Rawlings
She was a living symbol of how culture could be worn, displayed and dignified on the global stage.
Fashion designer Eunice Owusu and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Unikay Beauty and Fashion Home described the former First Lady’s fashion legacy as timeless, elegant and unapologetically African.
“She championed the beauty of Ghanaian fabrics like kente and wax prints, showing that traditional wear can be powerful and sophisticated,” Ms Owusu said.
“Her confidence and grace inspired many women to embrace their cultural identity through fashion, blending heritage with modern elegance,” she added.
For Joyce Nyame Bekyere Donkor, CEO of Bekyere, Nana Konadu’s fashion sense reflected the perfect balance between sophistication and tradition.
“Every outfit she wore told a story of culture, confidence and compassion. Her tailoring was neat, structured, and often accentuated with soft-sheen fabrics and woven motifs that whispered elegance rather than shouted it,” she stated.
Similarly, Latifa Adams of LAT Design described the late First Lady’s sense of style as commanding, yet graceful.
“Her looks were dignified, deliberate, and deeply rooted in culture. If I were to design a collection in her honour, I’d use gold-toned embroidery and flowing kente-inspired gowns that capture leadership wrapped in grace," she stated.
Signature
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Abeiku Aggrey, described her signature style as a blend of class and cultural sophistication.
“Nana Konadu wasn’t just wearing clothes; she was making statements. Her love for vibrant Ghanaian fabrics, her bold headwraps, and the way she carried herself made her a walking representation of Ghanaian pride,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
He added that her style inspired many women to see traditional fashion not as old-fashioned, but as a symbol of confidence and identity.
For these, the former First Lady had been selected for a prestigious industry honour before her demise last Thursday.
“A jury committee of six members, including a fashion designer, Linda Ampah, the Vice-President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana, Ama Amoah; the Deputy CEO of Ghana Tourism Authority, Ekow Sampson, the Director, Standards & Quality Assurance, GTA, Charles Obeng, and me, had selected her as a female iconic personality who has promoted our fashion, fabric and culture,” Mr Aggrey, popularly known as Abeiku Santana, disclosed.
He added that "the Secretary to the committee had reached out to her four days ago to notify her of the recognition, which is to be conferred on November 14.
We are honouring two distinguished personalities: one, for fashion promotion, which was for Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, and another one for long service, the Speaker of Parliament, Right Honourable Alban Bagbin, who has been consistent in championing our cultural heritage since assuming office”.
Mr Aggrey fondly recalled a meeting with the former First Lady about two months ago at the residence of the Namibian High Commissioner.
“We had a deep conversation for over an hour; she advised me to continue to do my bit, and keep pushing the boundaries,” he said, adding “she was full of life and joy."
Background
Long before she became Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, Nana Konadu was a student of Design.
At the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, she studied Art and Textiles, where she gained a deep understanding of fabric composition, weaving techniques, and the psychology of colour.
That foundation in textiles probably gave her an artist’s eye, the ability to see meaning in patterns, to recognise the power of a shade, and to transform cultural fabrics into modern statements of identity.
