The Agyeman-Rawlings family on Friday made a solemn visit to the residence of former Chief of Defence Staff General Arnold Quainoo Nunoo-Mensah to express condolences following the passing of his wife, Margaret Nunoo-Mensah.
The delegation was led by the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, who was accompanied by her sisters, Yaa Asantewaa Agyeman-Rawlings and Amina Agyeman-Rawlings.
The visit went beyond a formal expression of sympathy, reflecting instead a deeply personal bond between the two families — one that dates back to Ghana’s revolutionary era and years of shared public service.
Addressing the bereaved family, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings said their visit was a recognition of the enduring legacy left by her late father and the ex-servicemen who served during the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) era.
She stressed that the younger generation has a responsibility to preserve and honour such long-standing bonds built on trust and shared service.
“We are here because we understand the true value of friendship, and we do express our sincere condolences to the family. Relationships matter; friendship matters,” she said on April 17.
A General reflects
The former Chief of Defence Staff, General Arnold Quainoo Nunoo-Mensah — a key figure in Ghana’s security history who also served as National Security Advisor under the late President John Evans Atta Mills — expressed deep appreciation for the gesture.
He noted that the visit carried added emotional weight, coming at a time when the Rawlings family is also mourning their own loss, including the passing of their matriarch.
General Nunoo-Mensah described the moment as one of reflection and solidarity, underscoring the enduring personal ties that continue to connect Ghana’s political and military families beyond public service.
The former Chief of Defence Staff, General Arnold Quainoo Nunoo-Mensah, has shared heartfelt reflections on his long and sometimes complex relationship with the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, recalling moments of service and friendship that shaped Ghana’s political history.
Speaking during a meeting with members of the Rawlings family, the retired military leader expressed gratitude for the visit, saying he was deeply comforted by the presence of the late president’s daughters.
“I am very grateful,” he said, visibly moved during the encounter.
The engagement also highlighted the personal side of General Nunoo-Mensah’s life, as he reflected on the enduring partnership he shared with his late wife, Margaret Nunoo-Mensah. The couple were married on 10 August 1968, a union that spanned nearly 56 years and witnessed major chapters of Ghana’s post-independence journey.
General Nunoo-Mensah was accompanied by his children — Ben, Joseph, Fred, and Amanda Nunoo-Mensah — who joined him in receiving the delegation.
Widely regarded as one of the most distinguished officers in the Ghana Armed Forces, General Nunoo-Mensah served as Chief of Defence Staff in 1979 and later became a key figure in the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) in 1981. He went on to play significant roles in national security and diplomacy, including service under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration in 2009.
The meeting ended on a warm and reflective note, with both families reaffirming their bond and shared history. It also underscored the enduring personal relationships that continue to shape Ghana’s political and security landscape, where loyalty and legacy often extend beyond public office.