Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, describing her as a “role model for women in Ghana and across Africa.”
In a statement shared on Thursday, Akufo-Addo said he and his wife, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, were “deeply saddened by the news of the untimely passing of the wife of the late first President of the 4th Republic, His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings.”
He paid tribute to the late stateswoman, highlighting her pioneering work in women’s empowerment and leadership across the continent.
“As a role model for women in Ghana and across Africa, Mrs. Rawlings’ gender advocacy and women empowerment initiatives remain impactful to this day. Her commitment to the growth of the women’s movement in Ghana and Africa can never be forgotten,” the former President noted.
Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, who passed away on October 23, 2025, at the Ridge Hospital after a short illness, was widely known for her decades-long dedication to advancing women’s rights through the 31st December Women’s Movement, an initiative that helped transform women’s participation in politics, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
Akufo-Addo further described her as “a warm and affectionate woman, with a good sense of humour and excellent company,” adding that she left behind an enduring mark on Ghana’s social and political history.
“Rebecca, my children and I, extend our deepest condolences to her children and family on this sad occasion,” he added. “May her soul rest peacefully in the bosom of the Almighty, until the Last Day of the Resurrection, when we shall meet again.”
