Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, the former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has said the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, sold her jewellery to raise funds for the campaign.
According to Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Nana Konadu is a trailblazer who redefined women’s participation in Ghanaian politics.
She highlighted her unmatched role in mobilising women for political work, changing the face of politics in Ghana.
Speaking in an interview after a government delegation visited the Agyeman-Rawlings family, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo stated, “Even at times, she would sell her jewellery and personal belongings just to raise funds to continue to campaign or to continue to mobilise”.
“Our previous First Ladies were not as active as she was, but she made the role one that helped their respective husbands to also develop their countries,” Nana Oye noted.
Nana Oye further acclaimed the late former First Lady’s courage and ambition, and recalled her iconic message, “Be Bold.”
She also noted Nana Konadu’s pioneering advocacy for women’s rights, notably her influence in the PNDC Law 111, which ensured widows and children are protected after the death of a husband or father.
“From then until now, women are not sacked from their houses when their husbands die; children are not destitute because of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings,” she said.
“Today, we are remembering a matriarch, a woman dedicated to the cause of Ghana and the cause of women in Ghana. May she rest in power,” she added.
The late First Lady passed away in the early hours of Thursday, 23 October, at the Ridge Hospital in Accra.
She served as Ghana’s longest First Lady from 1981 to 2001 as the wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
Serving from June 4, 1979, to September 24, 1979, under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC).
Also from December 31, 1981, to January 6, 1993, under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), and also during her husband’s two constitutional terms from January 7, 1993, to January 6, 2001.
She also created the 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM) in 1982, a movement created to empower women in Ghana through initiatives promoting entrepreneurship, education, and political participation.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings will be accorded a state burial in honour of her immense contributions.
Speaking during his visit to the Rawlings family house on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, President Mahama stated, “”… I just want to now announce as president, that we shall give her a state burial”.
“The last time I saw her, she was her lively self, full of energy and passion for the causes she cared about. To hear of her passing within such a short period is truly heartbreaking,” he said.
He added, “When you travel around the country, you see evidence of her work — oil palm extraction and production projects that continue to empower women and support families. Her efforts transformed livelihoods and gave dignity to women through economic independence”.
Also, President Mahama, signing the book on behalf of himself and his wife, the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, wrote, “Ghana is proud of your achievement in your 19 solid Years as 1st Lady and “Mother of the Nation”. While we are all saddened by your passing, we celebrate your life.
“It’s been unsettling that you passed when we were just planning the 5th anniversary and final funeral rites for our former President, your husband. You have fought a good fight and deserve peaceful rest,” the president wrote.
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