President Mahama announces state funeral for former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will honour former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, who passed away on October 23 at age 76, with a state funeral.

He said the state would give her the full honours she deserves as a former First Lady and “Mother of the Nation.”

President Mahama made the announcement when he and his wife, First Lady Lordina Mahama, accompanied by senior government officials, visited the Agyeman-Rawlings family at their Ridge residence in Accra to console them.

The President, speaking on behalf of the nation, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the former First Lady, saying, “It actually came as a shock.” He recalled that the last time he saw her was at the Asantehemaa’s funeral at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

“She was her lively self. I mean, there was nothing that could warn us that in a few weeks she herself would become God’s own,” he said.

President Mahama noted that Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings set a remarkable record as Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, holding the role for 19 years. He praised her unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, citing her initiatives that provided palm oil extraction machines and gari production projects still in operation across the country.

“Women are using those income-generating facilities to improve themselves and their children. There is a lot that can be said, and I am sure that when the tributes are written, we will have an awesome story about her role as First Lady in Ghana,” he stated.

He assured that the government would collaborate closely with the Agyeman-Rawlings family on funeral arrangements, adding, “We’re waiting for the family to meet and tell us what their desires are.”

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and her late husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings, are survived by their four adult children, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina, and Kimathi.

On behalf of the family, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings expressed gratitude to President Mahama for his support and encouragement during their time of grief. She also thanked him for declaring three days of national mourning and announcing a state funeral for their departed mother.