Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Biography: Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Tribe, Party, Death
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was a prominent Ghanaian politician, women’s rights advocate, former First Lady of Ghana, and founder of her own political party. Her life exemplified commitment to social change, female empowerment and political participation. Serving as First Lady for an extended period, she redefined what the role could mean for social mobilisation and women’s leadership. Her passing in 2025 marked the end of an era in Ghanaian public life.
Early Life and Background
Nana Konadu Agyeman was born on 17 November 1948 in Cape Coast, then the Gold Coast (now Ghana). She hailed from a distinguished family with roots in the Ashanti region, and from an early age she was exposed to education and public service values.
Her father was J. O. T. Agyeman, a respected business and public-service figure. Her mother, Felicia Agyeman, was an educator whose influence helped instill in Nana Konadu a strong sense of discipline, learning and women’s advancement. Nana Konadu grew up among several siblings, in a home that valued communal support and academic achievement.
Education
Nana Konadu attended the Ghana International School and later Achimota School in Accra, where she developed interests in the arts and leadership. At University she studied Art and Textiles at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), specialising in textile and graphic design.
She furthered her training abroad with a Diploma in Interior Design from the London College of Arts in 1975. Later, she obtained advanced credentials in personnel management and development studies, including certificates from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and related institutions. These educational experiences equipped her for her leadership in grassroots movements and national policy.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1977, Nana Konadu married Jerry John Rawlings, then a Ghana Air Force officer who would become Head of State and later President of Ghana. Their union produced four children:
- Zanetor (often spelled Ezenator) Agyeman-Rawlings
- Yaa Asantewaa Rawlings
- Amina Rawlings
- Kimathi Rawlings
Her husband passed away in November 2020. The couple’s long marriage and joint public service made them one of Ghana’s most visible political partnerships.
Political Career and Party Affiliation
Nana Konadu served as First Lady of Ghana during two periods: briefly from June to September 1979, and more permanently from December 1981 to January 2001. During these years she used her role to advance women’s rights and community development.
She was a founding member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and rose to a senior position within the party, being elected as First Vice-Chairperson. In 2012 she founded the National Democratic Party (NDP) after parting ways with the NDC, becoming its leader and running for President in 2016 — the first woman in Ghana’s history to do so.
Advocacy & Major Achievements
One of her most enduring legacies is the founding of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which mobilised women nationwide around education, entrepreneurship and empowerment. Under her leadership, the movement established hundreds of preschools, promoted adult literacy, and championed legal reform such as the Intestate Succession Law which improved inheritance rights for widows and children.
Her work earned her recognition as a trailblazer in women’s leadership and grassroots mobilisation, both in Ghana and across Africa.
Tribe / Ethnic Origin
Nana Konadu comes from the Ashanti (Asante) heritage—a prominent ethnic group in Ghana known for its history, culture and traditions of leadership. Her family background and marriage connected multiple regions and traditions within Ghana.
Net Worth
While there is no verified public statement of her exact net worth, estimates place her personal wealth in the multi-million dollar range. Her income sources included her work in public service, social enterprises and private interests. Given her long career, advocacy, and public profile, her financial standing reflected decades of activity in governance, business and philanthropy.
Death
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings passed away on 23 October 2025 at Ridge Hospital in Accra, Ghana, after a short illness, at the age of 76. Her death was met with national mourning and widespread tributes for her life of service.
Conclusion
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings lived a remarkable life at the intersection of politics, social change and women’s empowerment. From her early education in Cape Coast and Accra to her role as First Lady, party leader and founder of landmark women’s movements, she remained dedicated to improving the lives of Ghanaian women and children. Her marriage to Jerry Rawlings anchored a partnership in public service; her own initiatives gave voice to women, rural communities and the marginalised.
Though she has passed, her legacy endures in the legal reforms she influenced, the institutions she founded, and the generations of women she inspired to lead.
