Members of Parliament on Wednesday eulogised former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a woman whose life embodied courage, vision, and an unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women and children.
The legislators said the life of Ghana’s longest serving First Lady was also one of service to her family, Ghana and to women and children.
“Her commitment to gender equality and empowerment opened new pathways for women's participation in national life and Ghana had lost an irreplaceable champion and Africa had lost a pioneering advocate,” they said.
Nana Konadu, who served as First Lady from 1979 and again from 1981 to 2001, passed on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the age of 76.
Flames she lit burns on
Leading the eulogy in a statement in memory of the former Frist Lady on the floor of Parliament today, the MP for Salaga South, Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, said “The the flame she lit burns on in every woman who stands a little taller because of her work, in every child who dreams a little bigger because she proved it possible, in every policy that protects the vulnerable because she demanded it”.
She said when Nana Konadu founded the 31st December Women's Movement in 1982, she did not merely create an organization.
She said she ignited a revolution and at a time when Ghana's economy was in ruins and women's voices were systematically excluded from national development, she travelled the dusty roads of our most remote communities, sat with village chiefs, danced with townsfolk, and listened to the struggles of ordinary women.
“She understood instinctively what many failed to see: that without the effective mobilization of women—Ghana's largest labour force—our nation could never achieve true economic transformation.
“Mr Speaker, her vision was both radical and practical,” she said, saying that her movement established over 870 daycare centres and pre-schools nationwide, liberating thousands of working mothers to pursue economic opportunities while ensuring their children received quality early education.
Defying social norms
Through the 31st December Movement, she Nana Konadu mobilised more than two million women across Ghana, transforming them from passive observers into active agents of change.
“She stood before traditional authorities and boldly addressed family planning and contraceptive use, defying social norms that had long kept women silent. “She fought against trokosi, female genital mutilation, and child marriage practices that had subjugated generations of women,” she said.
In the view of Hajia Ibrahim, Nana Konadu's influence extended far beyond our borders.
Her participation in the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing profoundly shaped her advocacy.
“Her advocacy helped secure the passage of the landmark 1989 Intestate Succession Law, protecting the inheritance rights of widows and children, a legislative triumph that rescued countless families from destitution.
“She influenced the incorporation of gender equality provisions into our 1992 Constitution,” she said, speaking of how Nana Konadu’s work contributed to policies on maternal and child health, agricultural support for women farmers, and the establishment of the National Commission on Women's Development.
With Nana Konadu never content to remain in anyone's shadow, she spoke of how the former First Lady in 2016 shattered yet another glass ceiling by becoming the first woman to contest for the presidency of Ghana, a bold act that inspired generations of young women to envision themselves in positions of power.
Exception dignity and distinction
Contributing, the MP for Afigya Kwabre South, Damata Ama Appianimaa Salam, said Ghana was mourning a beloved daughter whose life brought “honour and recognition to the constituents”.
“Mr Speaker, Nana Konadu was a woman of great courage, intellect and conviction.
“As the wife of the former President Jerry John Rawlings, she served Ghana with exceptional dignity and distinction.
She was a role model
The MP for Daboya/Mankarigu, said due to the boldness of Nana Konadu, the girl-child had somebody to look up to.
“Many years ago, when the girl-child did not have hope, Nana Konadu singularly started and championed her movement that attracted many women.
“They are the hopes that the girl-child has can trace to Nana Konadu,” he said.
Heroine of our childhood
The MP for Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, said she appreciated Nana Konadu’s strong family values and strong conviction about issues.
“And when she starts to discuss them, it does not matter where you stand in family, she had her points made forcefully and directly,” she said.
The MP for Tamale North, Alhassan Suhuyini, described Nana Konadu as the “heroine of our childhood”.
“Some of us grew up and our first experience of a woman with power and with authority and one who used as a force of positive change and it inspired many of generation to reach out to achieve more.
“Nana Konadu was not only a trailblazer for her generation but through her works and her activities, she inspired the generations that followed right after hers,” he said.
