Late former First Lady Nana Konadu to be honoured with state funeral

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, will be honoured with a state funeral in recognition of her decades of service and contribution to national development.

The President announced on Tuesday, October 28, when he led a government delegation to pay a condolence visit to the bereaved Rawlings family at their residence in Accra. He was accompanied by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, and other senior government officials.

Expressing his deep sorrow, President Mahama described the news of Mrs. Rawlings’ passing as a shock.

“It actually came as a shock. Zanetor was the first to call me, and Nana was with them. They broke the news to me, so I asked them to come to the office, and they came and explained everything that happened,” he recounted.

Reflecting on their last encounter, the President said the former First Lady appeared full of life and energy just weeks before her passing.

“It was sudden. The last time I saw her was at the Asantehemaa’s funeral, and she was her lively self. There was nothing that could warn us that in a few weeks to come, she herself would become God’s own,” he said.

President Mahama praised Nana Konadu’s enduring legacy, describing her as a trailblazer and record-holder in Ghana’s political history.

“Nana Konadu set a record in this country, the longest serving First Lady, 19 solid years. And with the constitution we have, nobody can ever break that record,” he noted.

He lauded her tireless efforts in championing women’s empowerment through the 31st December Women’s Movement, an initiative that transformed livelihoods across the country.

“During the 19 years, she took women’s empowerment as her focus. And we know the work that the 31st December Women’s Movement did all over the country. Even up to today, when you go around the country, you see evidence of her work,” the President emphasized.

President Mahama assured that her contributions to Ghana’s progress and the empowerment of women would be fully acknowledged.

“I’m sure that when the tributes come to be written, we will have a story about her role as First Lady in Ghana,” he added.

On behalf of the government and the people of Ghana, the President extended heartfelt condolences to the family.

“On behalf of the people of Ghana and the government, I want to extend our sympathy and condolences to the family,” he said.

Outlining the funeral arrangements, President Mahama confirmed that the state would take full responsibility for organizing a befitting ceremony.

“We shall give her a state funeral. The family can do the traditional funeral after the state funeral. Once we know what the date is, we will do the program. And the state will give her the full honours that she deserves as our former First Lady and Mother of the Nation,” he announced.

He further assured the family of the government’s full support during the period of mourning.

“We will work closely with the family. We’re waiting for the family to meet and tell us what their desire is,” he said.

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