President Mahama Announces State Funeral for Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, will be given a state funeral in recognition of her decades of service to Ghana and her pioneering role in women’s empowerment.
Speaking at the resident of the late former First Lady with senior government officials on Tuesday October 28, 2025, President Mahama described the late Mrs. Rawlings as a “trailblazer and mother of the nation” whose record as Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady remains unmatched.
“Nana Konadu set a record in this country — the longest-serving First Lady, 19 solid years under the Constitution we have today,” President Mahama said. “Nobody can ever break that record. The maximum anybody can do is eight years.”
The President praised Mrs. Rawlings for dedicating her years in public service to the advancement of women and the development of rural communities through the 31st December Women’s Movement.
“During those nineteen years, she took women’s empowerment as her focus, and we all know the tremendous work the 31st December Women’s Movement did across the country,” he said. “Even today, when you travel around Ghana, you can still see evidence of her work — oil palm extraction projects, gari production centers, and many other initiatives that continue to help women generate income to support themselves and their children.”
President Mahama noted that Mrs. Rawlings’ contributions went beyond politics, describing her as a symbol of resilience and purpose.
“There’s a lot that can be said about her,” he stated. “When the tributes are written, we will have a wholesome story about her role as First Lady and her impact on Ghanaian society.”
The President extended condolences to the Rawlings family on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, pledging full support for the funeral arrangements.
“On behalf of the people of Ghana and the Government, I want to extend our sympathy and condolences to the family,” he said. “We will work closely with them. As President, I want to announce that we shall give her a state funeral. The family can hold their traditional funeral after the state funeral.”
He added that the date and program for the funeral would be announced once consultations with the family are complete.
“Once we know the date, we will release the program,” President Mahama said. “The state will give her the full honors she deserves as our former First Lady and mother of the nation.”
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings served as Ghana’s First Lady from 1981 to 2000 and was the founder and leader of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which championed women’s rights, rural development, and entrepreneurship.
Her legacy, President Mahama concluded, “will continue to inspire generations of Ghanaian women.”
