President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, will be given a full state burial in recognition of her remarkable service to Ghana and her lifelong dedication to women’s empowerment.
The President made this known when he led a government delegation to the family residence of the late First Lady to offer his condolences and pay tribute to her enduring legacy.
The visit, marked by solemn reflection, brought together government officials, relatives, and supporters of the late First Lady. President Mahama described her passing as a great loss not only to her family but also to the entire nation, noting that her impact on women’s development remains unparalleled in Ghana’s political and social history.
“I want to express my condolences on behalf of Lordina and I on the passing of our mother. It actually came as a shock. Zanetor was the first to call me, and Nana was with them when they broke the news. It was sudden”
President John Dramani Mahama
He recalled his last encounter with her at the Asantehemaa’s funeral, saying she appeared lively and healthy at the time. “There was nothing that could warn us that in a few weeks to come she herself would become God’s own,” he reflected. “But like has been said, all of us will be called one day by God; we don’t know when.”
Honouring an Unmatched Legacy
The President praised Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ exceptional record as Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, highlighting her 19 years in that role as a period that redefined the nation’s approach to women’s empowerment.
“Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings set a record in this country – and with the constitution we have now, nobody can ever break that record. The maximum anybody will do is eight years”
President John Dramani Mahama
He emphasised that during her tenure, the late First Lady made women’s empowerment her lifelong mission through the 31st December Women’s Movement, which she founded and led. According to the President, the movement spearheaded several community-based projects that continue to benefit Ghanaian women across rural areas today.
“When you go around on the campaign trail, you’ll see evidence of her work – either oil palm extraction projects, gari production projects, among several others – they are still operational. Women are still using those income generation facilities to improve themselves and their children”
President John Dramani Mahama
Mahama added that these initiatives had tangible social and economic impacts that resonate in many communities, underscoring the late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ foresight in promoting self-sufficiency and gender inclusion.
State Funeral and National Mourning
The President assured the family that the government would ensure a dignified and befitting farewell for the late stateswoman.
“Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings will be given a full state burial and accorded the appropriate send-off,” he declared, confirming that preparations were already underway for a full state funeral, which would celebrate her remarkable contribution to Ghana’s national development.
The state funeral, according to the President, will not only commemorate her public service but also symbolise national appreciation for her role in shaping Ghana’s political landscape. He added that the forthcoming tributes would capture the breadth of her work and her historic influence as both a leader and advocate for women’s rights.
“I’m sure that when the tributes come to be written, we will have a wholesome story about her role, especially being Ghana,” he said.
Earlier, leading a delegation in the President’s absence at the time, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang also visited the bereaved family to express condolences on behalf of the government and people of Ghana.
“It is important that we remain solemn, united, and respectful as we mourn a remarkable woman whose life and legacy have left an indelible mark on our nation,” the Vice President said. She extended prayers for strength and comfort to the family, reaffirming the government’s commitment to honouring the memory of the late former First Lady with a deserving ceremony of her stature.
“It is our collective duty to honour her memory and to ensure she receives a befitting send-off,” Professor Opoku-Agyemang added.
President Mahama’s announcement has since been met with widespread approval from citizens, politicians, women’s groups, and civil society organisations, who view the state funeral as a fitting tribute to a trailblazer who championed equality, empowerment, and social transformation.
As preparations for the state burial continue, the legacy of Ghana’s late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, stands as a reminder of the power of vision, dedication, and leadership in advancing the cause of Ghanaian women and people in general.
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