Nandom Traditional Area mourns Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings

Naa Professor Edmund N. Delle Chiir VIII, Paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional Area and Founder and President of Rabito Clinic, has extended a heartfelt tribute to the family of the late Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, wife of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

“Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings represents a legacy of empowerment and service, and her passing on October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra is a profound loss for Ghana, Africa and beyond,” Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII stated in a statement to the media on Friday.

According to Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII, who is a former Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was a champion of women's rights and a pioneer in Ghanaian politics, inspiring countless individuals through her leadership and advocacy.

According to Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII, Nana Konadu's legacy extends beyond her role as a former First Lady; she was a trailblazer in Ghanaian politics, becoming the first woman to run for President in 2016.

He noted that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings was not only the wife of former President Jerry John Rawlings but also played a pivotal role in the reawakening of modern Ghana through the proactive mobilisation of women to serve as a vanguard for women's emancipation not only in Ghana but also globally.

"Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings's contributions to the nation's development, particularly through the 31st December Women's Movement, will forever be remembered," the Nandom Paramount Chief stated.

He stressed that the 31st December Women’s Movement, founded by Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, aimed to empower women through entrepreneurship, education, and political participation and was among the first political casualties after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lost Election 2000.

The 31st December Women’s Movement was seen by political opponents as a powerful women’s wing of the NDC with mass support and was tagged for destruction after the NDC lost the 2000 election to the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“Her leadership and vision for Ghana's future were evident in her various initiatives and public service,” the Nandom Paramount Chief stated.

Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII noted that Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings' passing five years after the passing of former President J. J. Rawlings marks the end of an era, but her legacy will live on through the lives she touched, the movements she built, and the inspiration she provides to future generations.

“May her soul rest in peace, and may her family find strength and comfort in the memories of her remarkable life,” Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII stated.