Ghanaians from all walks of life gathered at the Black Star Square on Friday, November 28, 2025, for the state funeral of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
The state burial, which began at 8 a.m., drew government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders, political personalities, and thousands of citizens to honour her legacy.
This national farewell follows a solemn requiem mass held on Wednesday at the Accra Ridge Church, where family, friends, and dignitaries paid emotional tributes highlighting her decades of impact on Ghana’s political and social development.
Nana Konadu, wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, was Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, serving across both military and civilian regimes. She first held the role from June 4 to September 24, 1979, under the AFRC, and again under the PNDC from December 31, 1981, to January 6, 1993. She continued as First Lady during the Fourth Republic from January 7, 1993, to January 6, 2001.
Beyond her ceremonial duties, she emerged as a formidable voice for women’s rights and social change. She founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, which championed women’s empowerment nationwide. In 2012, she broke away from the NDC to form the National Democratic Party (NDP), later contesting the 2016 presidential election on its ticket.
Nana Konadu was also admired for her bold fashion sense, passion for the arts, and dynamic personality, traits that cemented her as a symbol of confidence and cultural expression.
Watch a playback of the stream below:
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
