Profile of Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (born 17 November 1948) was a distinguished Ghanaian politician, women’s rights advocate, and the wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings. She served as the First Lady of Ghana during two key periods — first from 4 June 1979 to 24 September 1979, and again from 31 December 1981 to 7 January 2001.

In 2016, she made history as the first woman to run for President of Ghana. Two years later, in 2018, she launched her memoir It Takes a Woman, chronicling her journey in public service and women’s empowerment.

Early Life and Education

Born in Cape Coast, Central Region of Ghana, Nana Konadu was the daughter of J. O. T. Agyeman and his wife. She attended Ghana International School and later Achimota School, where she met her future husband, Jerry John Rawlings, who would later become Ghana’s first president under the Fourth Republic.

She pursued Art and Textiles at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she served as a student leader at Africa Hall. In 1975, she earned a Diploma in Interior Design from the London College of Arts.

Her educational journey continued with a Diploma in Advanced Personnel Management from the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) in 1979, and a Certificate in Development from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 1991. She later took courses at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Policy Studies in Baltimore, USA, and obtained a Certificate in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Management from a Fellows Program in the United States.

Political Career and Advocacy

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings became a central figure in Ghana’s socio-political transformation. Her first tenure as First Lady followed her husband’s brief rule in 1979 after a military coup. When Jerry Rawlings returned to power in 1981 and subsequently transitioned Ghana to democratic governance in 1992, she remained deeply involved in national development and women’s empowerment efforts.

In 1982, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM) — a nationwide organization dedicated to the advancement of women and children. Under her leadership, the movement grew to over two million members, establishing more than 870 pre-schools across Ghana, promoting child development, literacy, and family planning, and empowering women economically and politically.

She later served as First Vice Chairperson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2009 and contested the party’s 2011 presidential primaries against then-President John Atta Mills — becoming the first woman to seek a major party’s presidential nomination in Ghana.

Vision and Legacy

A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Nana Konadu consistently emphasized the importance of political and economic empowerment for women. In a statement released by the Embassy of Ghana, she declared:

“My desire is to see the emancipation of women at every level of development to enable them to contribute and benefit from the socio-economic and political progress of the country…. Women’s vital role of promoting peace in the family, the country, and the world at large must be acknowledged.”

Through her leadership, the 31st December Women’s Movement became a grassroots force for change, inspiring countless Ghanaian women to participate in national development.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings remains one of Ghana’s most influential female political figures, celebrated for her pioneering efforts in women’s empowerment, education, and social development, and for her unwavering commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable Ghana.