Nana Konadu out with first book “It takes a woman”

Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings Monday launched her first book titled "It Takes a Woman".

The book is a biography of Mrs Rawlings and chronicles her political journey.

The book is the first of a series of four books that will provide deep insights into her political activism and experiences.

The 331-page book chronicles the life journey of Mrs Rawlings from her days in 1979 to her younger years in 1948 and tells the story about the formative years of her outspoken advocacy for women empowerment and Founder of the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Launching the book, Dr Bawumia said the book presents Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings as a perfect example of a true woman who was resolute in the fight for women’s emancipation without knocking the heads of men and women together.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, admonished young girls to consciously take issues of their welfare seriously.

“When I read the title of the book, I Takes A Woman, I initially thought it was a bit provocative but the more I think about it, the more I realize that yeah it is true. The role and contribution of women in our society have historically been underestimated but in truth, it really is an enormous contribution,” he said.

According to Dr Bawumia, the book provides readers with an insight into the politics of Ghana from the era of independence and excites readers who expect to learn of the tenacity of a woman in form and by definition akin to Yaa Asantewa of the Asante lineage.

“In typical Nana Konadu’s style, the book pulls no punches in its criticism of gender discrimination and chauvinism, inequality and an aggressive pursuit of personal aggrandizement.” Dr Bawumia pointed out and said it also taught the path to seeking development and welfare of humanity which could be tough and rough.

Mrs Rawlings

In her remarks, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings said, Africa has everything from minerals, forest, oil and intellectual capacity that could make the continent great but said “one area that we need to strengthen is the ability to document and analyse historical information.”

That, she said, will help guide the continent, the people and for that matter Ghanaians.

“We need to constantly improve on the quality of life and so we need to read as individuals and inculcate the habit of reading to the young ones. We have to encourage the young ones to read but because of the existence of iPads and tablets they are not picking books to read out of curiosity.” She lamented and said “if we as Africans do not document, others will do that for us.”

Mrs Rawlings who was visibly elated about her book which she said was the first out of four she intends to publish said, “it is only through writing that we capture who we are, where we have come from and where we are going and this must be written so generations yet unborn will know who we truly are.”

“The next edition of the book which, she said, will capture much of her political and social life is expected to be ready next year.

Espousing the qualities of the former first lady, Chairman for the occasion, Oheneba Lovelace Agyeman Prempeh, described Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings as a fearless, courageous, independent and a forthright personality.

He specifically pointed out Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings role in the promulgation of the interstate succession law for the country and encouraged her to let the support of those who look up to her continue to give her the strength carry on.

Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was the First Lady of Ghana from 4 June 1979 to 24 September 1979 and 31 December 1981 to 7 January 2001.

In 2016 she became the first woman to run for President of Ghana.