How Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Changed Women’s Rights in Ghana Forever

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings became Ghana’s ‘Iron Lady’ through decades of fearless activism and steadfast dedication to strengthening women’s rights. She broke new ground as Ghana’s first female presidential candidate in 2016 and challenged the established norms in a male-dominated political sphere.

Her tenure as Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady redefined this ceremonial role into a powerful platform for advocacy. She served briefly in 1979 and then continuously from December 31, 1981, to January 7, 2001. These two decades saw her champion women’s rights and social justice relentlessly. She led the 31st December Women’s Movement and successfully united an estimated two million women across Ghana. Her leadership encouraged women to participate actively in community development and national decision-making.

Nana Konadu’s influence extends beyond her political accomplishments. Born in 1948 in Cape Coast, she evolved from a successful businesswoman into a transformative political leader. Her story exemplifies how personal conviction can reshape a nation. Her remarkable legacy continues to inspire women in Ghana and across Africa, proving that determination and vision can break traditional barriers.

Roots of a Revolutionary: Early Life and Influences

The name “Konadu,” which means “fight till the end,” predicted the determined spirit that would shape her life. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was born on November 17, 1948, in Cape Coast in Ghana’s Central Region. She carried leadership in her bloodline long before she became a political force.

Royal heritage and family values

Nana Konadu’s royal lineage runs deep through Ghana’s history. She descended directly from the Ashanti Royal family in Kumasi and inherited a proud tradition of leadership and governance. Her royal connection was remarkable—her father’s uncle was the great king of Asante, Nana Agyeman Prempeh I, whom the British exiled to the Seychelles Island in 1897. She got her name from Nana Konadu Yiadom II, the revered Ashanti Queen Mother who ruled while the Asantehene was in exile.

The 1950s Gold Coast era saw Nana Konadu grow up as the third of seven children—six girls and one boy—in a prosperous family. Her father, John Osei-Tutu Agyeman (J.O.T. Agyeman), was a successful businessman. He earned a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and became one of the first Africans to work in senior management at the United Africa Company. His focus on education and independent thinking became the foundation for his daughter’s future work.

Her mother Felicia Agyeman started as an educator but had to quit teaching after marriage because of British colonial laws that required married women to stay home. She continued to teach at home, working with Nana Konadu, her siblings, and several cousins. Felicia’s care for the disadvantaged shaped her daughter’s social awareness. Nana Konadu later said: “It was she, by her concern for the poor and the disadvantaged, who helped me to find my interest in social reform”.

Education and early leadership traits

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’s education was rich and varied. She started at Ghana International School and then attended the prestigious Achimota School. There, she met her future husband, Jerry John Rawlings, in 1961.

She studied Art and Textiles at the University of Science and Technology (now KNUST). Her leadership skills emerged when she became a student leader of her hall of residence, Africa Hall. This early role showed signs of her future as a champion for Ghanaian women.

Throughout her life, she built an impressive educational portfolio:

• A diploma in Interior Design from the London College of Arts (1975)
• A diploma in Advanced Personnel Management from Ghana’s Management Development and Productivity Institute (1979)
• A certificate in Development from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (1991)
• Advanced studies at Johns Hopkins University and the Institute for Policy Studies in Baltimore completed her Fellows Program in Philanthropy and Non-Profit Organizations

Exposure to inequality and injustice

Her mother’s forced exit from teaching showed Nana Konadu how colonial structures restricted women’s rights. Ghana’s declining economy after independence revealed how power imbalances hurt the most vulnerable.

She noticed that “women (and their children) suffered the most from poor judgment and weak governance” despite being “the backbone of the rural economy”. Women produced more than seventy percent of Ghana’s food crops, yet the national agenda overlooked their needs.

She recognized harmful traditional practices affecting women and girls, including polygamy, trokosi (female sexual slavery), and genital cutting. These practices created a “vicious cycle of poverty”. Her observations of these deep-rooted injustices against women drove her activism and pushed her to challenge the existing system and fight for fundamental social change.

From Interior Designer to National Advocate

“I threw myself into my work. In my political life, passion took over. I wanted to understand the problems of rural women firsthand and with the country in crisis, there was plenty to absorb.” — Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Former First Lady of Ghana; Founder, 31st December Women’s Movement

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings built an impressive professional career before she became a political force. Her rise from talented designer to someone who supported national change shows how personal experiences can spark passion for transforming society.

Career before politics

Nana Konadu started a diverse professional path after completing her studies in Art and Textiles at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). She got her first professional role at the Ghana Tourist Board in 1973. She then joined Union Trading Company (UTC), a major Swiss trading firm in Accra, where she worked from 1974 to 1980.

Nana Konadu stood out among her peers at UTC. “I was one of only a handful of Ghanaian women working among the professional ranks at UTC,” she once recalled. She handled significant responsibilities by managing UTC showrooms, window displays, and corporate housing units across Ghana. Her talent and hard work earned her the position of Group Manager.

Her career expanded internationally in 1975 when UTC sent her to Switzerland’s largest department store, Jelmoli, for an 18-month attachment. This time abroad gave her a new viewpoint as she saw the stark difference between Switzerland’s wealth and Ghana’s economic struggles. Back in Ghana, she continued to advance as the senior administrator of UTC’s Display Department.

She dedicated her time to promoting Ghanaian artistry and craftsmanship at Nanali Africarts in Accra from 1980 to 1984. Her background in interior and graphic design helped her see societal challenges differently—”seeing potential, beauty, and purpose even in struggle”.

Transition into public life

Life changed dramatically for Nana Konadu after marrying Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings in 1977. She maintained her professional career after marriage, but her life became “intrinsically linked to Ghana’s political trajectory”.

She briefly served as First Lady in 1979 during the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) era. Her most important period started on December 31, 1981. Her husband’s return to power launched nearly two decades of her influence as First Lady. This span covered both the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) military rule and two civilian terms of the Fourth Republic until January 7, 2001.

Nana Konadu “stirred national debate over what role a Head of State’s wife should play”. She refused to accept the traditional First Lady role of managing the household, raising children, and supporting her husband’s agenda. Despite criticism, she created her own identity through meaningful political work.

Personal experiences shaping activism

Several key moments transformed Nana Konadu from a professional to an activist. She saw Ghana’s failing healthcare system firsthand in 1978 while expecting their first child, Zanetor. The Military Hospital where she received care faced constant power outages with “no bed sheets, no painkillers, no sanitary towels, no syringes, no cotton wool, not even a light bulb in the labor and delivery room”.

The stark difference from the “blinding fluorescence of public facilities in Switzerland” left a lasting impression. She noticed that “while men monopolized power at all levels of development, it was women (and their children) who suffered the most from poor judgment and weak governance”.

Her travels through rural Ghana revealed that women made up more than half the population and produced over seventy percent of the nation’s food crops. Yet their “dire living conditions and basic needs for sustainable development had never been placed on the national agenda”.

These observations deepened her understanding of gender inequality in Ghana. “The more I listened to the stories of rural women,” she later explained, “the more I understood their frustrations, knowing that they remain second-class citizens despite their contributions to family and community”.

These experiences led to decisive action on May 15, 1982. She and other like-minded women established the 31st December Women’s Movement to ensure women in Ghana would not be left behind in the revolutionary process. This marked the beginning of her greatest contribution to Ghana’s social and political scene.

Building a Movement: The 31st DWM Story

The 31st December Women’s Movement (DWM) ranks among Africa’s most notable grassroots organizations. It changed millions of Ghanaian women’s lives by strengthening them systematically. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings started this movement on May 15, 1982. It emerged “in a context of political and social upheaval” and became a powerful force for women’s progress in a society that often overlooked their contributions.

Why the movement was needed

Ghanaian women faced tough barriers to national development before DWM’s establishment. Women made up “more than 51% of the estimated 16 million people of Ghana”, yet nobody recognized their economic value. The reality painted a stark picture. “Over 70% [of women] lived in rural areas and provided about 90% of the food crops and about 70% of the various raw materials for agro-industry”. These women “also contribute about 90% of the agricultural produce”.

The challenges they faced were overwhelming. Nana Konadu noted, “Before December 31, 1981, they had no power of influence in law or politics”. Laws restricted women’s rights severely. A woman “could not open a bank account in her own name, own land, or register property”. Nobody listened to their voices “often sidelined in governance” despite their vital economic role.

Key programs and community impact

Under Nana Konadu’s guidance, the DWM grew faster and ended up “mobilizing over two million women across Ghana”. The movement’s reach amazed everyone. “The high percentage of membership in the Movement by Ghanaian women, especially when you have the rural areas, testifies to the enthusiasm and interest aroused by the organization’s program and activities”.

The movement’s influence on communities proved substantial. They built “over 870 pre-schools across Ghana” and created 821 day care centers in all regions. These facilities served two purposes. Women got “the chance to leave their wards in a safe environment while they go about their activities.” Mothers could now “have the peace of mind to attain high levels of productivity”.

The DWM did more than just childcare. They launched several initiatives:

• They dug boreholes in guinea-worm infested areas for clean drinking water
• They promoted “adult literacy, family planning, child development”
• They ran “extensive functional adult literacy programs to tackle high illiteracy rates among rural women”
• They implemented “public health programs focusing on nutrition and immunization”

Empowering women through education and enterprise

“To make the branches and units of the Movement self-financing, self-sustaining,” the DWM created many business opportunities. They supported various money-making activities like “vegetable cultivation, raw material production to feed-processing factories, cloth-weaving, pottery, cane and bamboo craft, batik making”.

The women in communities identified these projects themselves. They “normally identified by the women in the communities who then initiate action after carrying out pre-feasibility studies”. This approach ensured true ownership and lasting success. The DWM earned credit for “substantially helping women across the country – especially in poorer areas”.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ vision helped the movement succeed. They “encouraged their participation in political life of the country”. Women became “active political and economic participants” instead of “mere recipients of aid”. This led to “a marked increase in female representation in Parliament in the early 1990s”. Her legacy as Ghana’s leading feminist icon stands strong today.

Changing Laws, Changing Lives

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“Certainly, we cherish our cultural heritage and the centuries old traditions from which our society derives its identity and resilience. But we also acknowledge that practices that undermine human dignity, retard social progress and bring about unnecessary misery and suffering must not be countenance by a society that appreciates the worth of its people.” — Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Former First Lady of Ghana; Founder, 31st December Women’s Movement

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings did more than just mobilize women at the grassroots level. She altered the map of Ghana’s legal system to protect its most vulnerable citizens. Her advocacy went beyond words and led to real legal reforms that still protect women and children nationwide.

Legal reforms for women’s inheritance rights

The life-blood of Nana Konadu’s legal advocacy was her key role in passing the Intestate Succession Law (PNDCL 111) in 1985. This groundbreaking legislation improved inheritance rights for widows and children. The revolutionary law changed Ghana’s customary laws on marriage and property. Before this, Ghanaian women had little to no rights when their husbands died.

Women faced a bleak legal situation before these reforms. They could not:

• Open a bank account in their own name
• Own land
• Register property

The law gave several vital protections to families. Surviving spouses and children could now:

• Hold as tenants-in-common a house owned by the deceased
• Retain household chattels
• Inherit specified portions of the estate’s residue

This legislation was “momentous”. It helped women in a country where customary practices determined access to land and inheritance control. The law passed at a crucial time—just before the 1985 United Nations’ Decade for Women conference in Nairobi. This created a deadline for Ghana to show real progress for women’s rights.

Health and education advocacy

Nana Konadu’s work went beyond legal reforms. She championed vital health and educational initiatives. Under her leadership, Ghana became the first country to approve the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1991.

The 31st DWM under her guidance ran major public health programs that focused on nutrition and immunization. They dug boreholes in guinea-worm infested areas to provide clean drinking water. This directly helped rural women and children facing health crises.

Her work in education made an equal impact. The movement ran adult literacy programs to help rural women who couldn’t read or write. They knew education would enable women to grow. These programs helped women become active participants in Ghana’s development instead of just receiving aid.

Pushing for political inclusion

Nana Konadu’s most profound impact led to more women in Parliament during the early 1990s. Her grassroots work inspired women throughout Ghana to take part in politics and civic life.

She proudly noted, “A lot of women are now on committees in their villages and districts, some are chairing the committees”. Thanks to her constant advocacy, 19 women won parliamentary positions in 1992. This was a huge win in a nation where women previously “had no power of influence in law or politics”.

She aimed for more than just getting women into office. Her vision included women’s unique approach to governance: “The more women who enter politics, the better the world will be… We want to form linkages, network, and make the world a better place to live in”.

Nana Konadu believes the Affirmative Action Act 2024 will help remove long-standing barriers to women’s growth in Ghana. This shows her steadfast dedication to women’s political inclusion.

Breaking Barriers in Ghanaian Politics

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Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings altered the map of Ghana’s political world through her journey from advocacy to direct political leadership. Her determination reached far beyond her role as First Lady.

Role in the NDC and internal conflicts

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) elected Nana Konadu as First Vice Chairperson in 2009. This marked a new chapter in her political career. She had already left her mark on the party her husband co-founded. The NDC’s emblem stands as her creation, and many credit her as one of its pioneering forces.

She proved her political independence in 2011. The Ghanaian political establishment watched in shock as she challenged sitting President John Evans Atta Mills for the NDC flagbearership position at the party’s Sunyani congress. Her bold move failed but showed her steadfast dedication to her beliefs.

Founding the NDP

Her courage led her to leave the NDC. She established the National Democratic Party (NDP) in October 2012. The party made its official debut on December 7, 2012, with its first national congress at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Her exit from NDC meant more than a simple party switch – it reflected her unwillingness to bend her principles. The NDC recognized her lasting impact in June 2025 and named her the “Founding Mother of the NDC”.

Historic presidential candidacy

Ghana’s political history changed forever when Nana Konadu became the country’s first female presidential candidate in 2016. People called her “the Hillary Clinton of Africa”. She received 0.16% of votes, yet her campaign broke through a major political barrier.

She secured the NDP’s presidential nomination again in 2020. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings revolutionized Ghana’s male-dominated political sphere. Her legacy continues to inspire women across generations to seek leadership roles at the highest levels of government.

A Lasting Legacy of Feminist Leadership

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Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings stands out among West African leaders for her lasting impact on gender equality.

Recognition at home and abroad

Her work in governance and gender advocacy brought her significant recognition worldwide. She received a Senior Fellowship from Johns Hopkins University’s Institute of Policy Studies in 1994. The Graduate School of Governance and Leadership’s Boardroom Institute later awarded her an Honorary Emeritus Fellowship. KNUST, her alma mater, celebrated her achievements by naming her “an illustrious alumna” and “one of Ghana’s most remarkable women”. People remember her as “a true national treasure,” “an indomitable spirit,” and “a beacon of women’s empowerment”.

Cultural shifts in gender roles

Her dedication reshaped the conversation about women’s rights across Africa. Ghanaian women once faced severe restrictions. They couldn’t open bank accounts, own land, or register property. Her influence helped women move beyond receiving aid. They became active participants in political and economic spheres, which reshaped Ghana’s society.

Her message to future generations

“The struggle for women’s equality is not a favor to women; it is a necessity for national progress,” Nana Konadu declared. She highlighted women’s importance in creating peace: “Women’s vital role of promoting peace in the family, the country and the world at large must be acknowledged”. Her vision remains relevant today: “If political freedom was the defining struggle of our past, then economic and social empowerment must be the defining mission of our future”.

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings revolutionized Ghana’s political world by reshaping women’s rights throughout the nation. Her path from interior designer to presidential candidate showed remarkable strength against deep-rooted patriarchal systems. The 31st December Women’s Movement she created helped over two million rural women become active contributors to national development. Her push for legal reforms secured lasting protections for Ghana’s women and children.

Critics often attacked her outspoken nature, but she kept challenging the status quo. Her historic presidential runs in 2016 and 2020 broke long-standing barriers. Yes, it was possible for women to compete at Ghana’s highest political levels. She played a key role in passing the Intestate Succession Law that changed inheritance rights. This gave women legal protections they never had before.

Without doubt, her impact reached way beyond her role as First Lady. She turned this ceremonial position into a platform that strengthened advocacy. Her unique two-decade tenure helped the most vulnerable Ghanaians. She built over 870 pre-schools and 821 day care centers across Ghana. This reliable infrastructure still supports women’s economic participation today.

Her fearless feminism left an unmistakable mark on Ghana’s political world. Women’s representation in Parliament, legal protections, and changing cultural attitudes toward gender equality stem from her constant advocacy. Future generations of Ghanaian women now enter public service on the groundwork laid by this remarkable pioneer who refused to accept society’s gender limitations.

True to her name’s meaning—”fight till the end”—Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings showed steadfast dedication to social justice. Her life proves that one determined woman can alter a nation’s destiny.