The nation of Ghana pauses in solemn reflection as a state funeral is held at Independence Square in Accra to bid farewell to the late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings. A revered figure in Ghana’s political and social life, she served as First Lady for much of the last quarter of the 20th century and became a symbol of commitment to women’s rights and national service.
Starting from early morning, the cortege is scheduled to arrive and mourners, clad in black attire, as requested by her family, have gathered from different walks of life: government officials, traditional rulers, diplomats, gender-movement activists, and ordinary citizens, all united by grief and gratitude.
The funeral honours her decades of dedication: as the founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement, she championed education, healthcare and economic empowerment for women and children across Ghana. Under her leadership, the Movement grew into one of the country’s most influential vehicles for social change.
At the ceremony, heartfelt tributes are being delivered by political leaders, dignitaries, and members of her family, many emphasising that her legacy will endure in the lives she touched and the institutions she helped build. Mourners are remembering her as a bold, principled and compassionate leader whose influence extended well beyond ceremonial duties.
As Ghana honours her memory today, the tone is both mournful and celebratory, a recognition that, though she has passed on, the ideals she stood for continue to shape the nation’s future.
