The news of the passing of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady, has sent shockwaves throughout the nation, with many residents in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region expressing their condolences to the bereaved family.
They described the late Nana Konadu, the wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, a son from Keta, as a stalwart in Ghanaian politics who championed women empowerment.
Mr. Emmanuel Agozi, a resident of Keta told the Ghana News Agency, in an interview that as news of Nana Konadu Rawlings was announced, many other residents in the area were paying their respects to the Rawlings family while others were eulogising her as a fearless and courageous leader who dedicated her life to the service of others.
“The Rawling’s family has been in the news since yesterday afternoon after the announcement of Nana Konadu’s death. Ghana has indeed lost a great icon, she will be in our hearts forever,” he said.
Mr. Agozi explained that Nana Konadu was known for her tireless advocacy for women’s rights and her commitment to improving the lives of many, and launched a memoir in title, ” It Takes a Woman” in 2018, which chronicled her life journey in political activism.
He said Ghanaians and people of Keta would remember Nana Konadu as a kind and compassionate person who always put the needs of others before her and recalled her selfless service to the nation and her unwavering commitment to the empowerment of women.
“The passing of Nana Konadu has left a void in the lives of many in Keta who saw her as a mother figure and a role model, herlegacy will continue to inspire generations to come, l wish her a resting place with the Lord.”
Madam Happy Esinam Babanawo, another citizen of Keta said that the nation has lost unreplaceable individual and asked that the public should stand in solidarity with the Rawlings family and pray for them to have strength and comfort during this difficult time.
She said that Nana Konadu was a wife for Keta, and her passing away was a huge loss to the nation, but her legacy would continue to inspire and motivate others while her selfless service to the nation was a testament to her character and commitment to the well-being of others.
Madam Babanawo said that the Rawlings family would be proud of the life and legacy of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and her late former President J.J. Rawlings, and their passing would be deeply felt by many Ghanaians while their memory is expected to live on in the hearts of many.
The late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was a founding member of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which later metamorphosed into the National Democratic Congress (NDC) which she played a pivotal role in the development of the party and was a key advisor to her husband, the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
She was also known for been the first woman to run for President of Ghana in 2016 and contented on the ticket on her party, the National Democratic Party (NDP).
She was a prominent figure in politics and social advocate who served as First Lady from 1981 to 2001 during her husband J.J. Rawlings’ presidency.
Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings died at age 76 on Thursday, October 23, at Ridge Hospital in Accra after a short illness and left behind four children including Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, MP for Klottey-Korley constituency, Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings, Amina Rawlings, and Kimathi Rawlings.
GNA
