President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has expressed condolences following the death of Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who died on October 23 at the age of 76.

Agyeman-Rawlings, the wife of the late President Jerry Rawlings, was widely recognised for her advocacy for women’s empowerment and her role in advancing gender equality in Ghana.

In a statement, President Nandi-Ndaitwah celebrated Agyeman-Rawlings’ dedication to the emancipation of women at every level of Ghana’s development to enable them to contribute to the socio-economic and political progress.

She also commended Agyeman-Rawlings for founding the 31 December Women’s Movement, which promoted women’s participation in entrepreneurship, education, and national affairs. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah says that the movement earned Agyeman-Rawlings more recognition for championing the empowerment of communities in Ghana.

The Head of State extended condolences to President John Mahama and the bereaved family and Ghanaians at large, stating, “Namibia stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Republic of Ghana during this time of bereavement, and we keep you all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Agyeman-Rawlings served as First Lady from June 4 to September 24, 1979, and again from December 31, 1981, to January 7, 2001.