Former United Nations Governance Advisor, Baffour Agyemang-Duah, has described the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, as a courageous and influential woman who lived a “fruitful and impactful life.”
The late former First Lady passed away Thursday morning, after a short illness. She was aged 76.
Mr Agyemang-Duah noted that “Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings certainly lived a very fruitful life—a turbulent one because the late 70s and early 80s are difficult years for Ghana—but through it all, she stood firm. I have always admired her courage and her commitment.”
Reacting to news of her passing, Mr. Agyemang-Duah said he received the announcement with deep shock, noting that there had been no public indication that she was unwell.
“I got the news on one of my platforms just minutes after her passing. I was shocked because we never heard she was sick. In fact, during the Asantehemaa’s funeral, I remember seeing her with her children going to pay homage to the Asantehene,” he recalled. “Only a day or two ago, she even went to commiserate with Mr. Effah, the former head of Fidelity Bank. So it came very suddenly—that’s what makes it so shocking.”
Mr. Agyemang-Duah paid glowing tribute to Nana Konadu’s strength and courage, describing her as “one of a kind” who played a defining role in Ghana’s political history.
“If you recall the so-called revolutionary days, she was one of the pillars of the movement—perhaps not always at the forefront, but firmly behind her husband, who was the leader of the revolution,” he said. “Even if you didn’t like her, you had to admire her courage.”
He highlighted her political resilience, noting her bold decision to break away from the National Democratic Congress (NDC)—a party she helped found—to form her own political organisation, the National Democratic Party (NDP).
“All of this demonstrated her political courage. She was politically active and deeply engaged, and to some extent, she helped shape the politics of this country, for better or worse,” Mr. Agyemang-Duah stated.
He also praised her lifelong advocacy for women’s empowerment, particularly through the 31st December Women’s Movement, which provided economic and social support for women across Ghana.
“Whether you liked her or not, you can’t deny how far she went in supporting women to be empowered—in industries, in leadership, and in society,” he said.