Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the former First Lady of Ghana from 1981-2001, has left an indelible mark on Ghana's political and social life long after her time in the Presidential Palace.
Her post-First Lady life has been marked by tireless advocacy for women's rights, audacious political endeavors, and literary offerings.
In 2012, Nana Konadu formed the National Democratic Party (NDP), marking her ongoing participation in politics separately from her former association with the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Her leadership paved the way for a historical feat in 2016 as she became the first female to contest the Ghanaian presidency.
Although she only managed to get 0.16% of the vote, her candidacy was a breakthrough as it opened the door for many women to aspire to political leadership roles.
Her political pursuit did not end there. Nana Konadu was undaunted and once more filed nomination forms to lead the NDP for the third time in the 2020 general elections, demonstrating remarkable resilience and perseverance in a challenging political environment.
Aside from politics, Nana Konadu has been an avid promoter of women empowerment as the leader of the 31st December Women's Movement (DWM), which she founded in 1982.
Under her leadership, the DWM has established over 870 pre-schools across Ghana and has been actively engaged in child development, family planning, and the advancement of women's rights at the local level.
Stretching out to literature, Nana Konadu authored It Takes a Woman in 2018. The book is a collection of personal thoughts and life experiences, emphasizing the vital role women play in the advancement of society and motivating the future generation of women leaders.
At the personal level, she lost her husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings, in November 2020. Despite this colossal loss, Nana Konadu was resolute in her political pursuit, still contesting the 2020 elections.
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has been an embodiment of strength, leadership, and uncompromising commitment to the empowerment of women and the democratic evolution of Ghana throughout her life.
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