Accra, Ghana—At the State funeral held at the Black Star Square on Friday, November 28, the children of the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, delivered a powerful tribute, celebrating her as a monumental figure whose life was dedicated to both family and national transformation.
Kimathi Rawlings, speaking on behalf of his siblings, expressed the profound personal loss, linking their grief to the enduring public figure she was.
“Mom, queen of our hearts, your legacy lives on through the lessons you taught us, the love you shared and the examples you set,” Kimathi said. “Mom, we love and miss you and Dad, we love and miss you.”
A Force for National Change
The tribute highlighted Nana Konadu’s unwavering commitment to activism and Ghana’s democratic growth. Kimathi described her as a woman defined by her forceful dedication to her country, one who possessed an expertise that transcended the ceremonial duties of her role.
“You lived with a conviction that shaped both our family and the country. A woman who loved her country and celebrated it with every opportunity she got,” he stated. “No problem was too small for you to personally tackle, and no situation was ever out of your expertise.”
He emphasized that she was primarily a “woman of action”. Her leadership of significant movements and her tireless pursuit of gender equality are credited with continuing to influence Ghanaian society. Her conviction, clear values, and insistence on tangible results inspired countless women and substantially reinforced the country’s democratic evolution.
“You will be remembered as a woman of action. The movement you led and your unwavering pursuit of equality will continue to shape Ghana for generations. You lived your values without reservations. Your conviction and insistence on action gave courage to the countless women and inspired the nation’s democratic process.”
The Strategic Partner and Protector
Reflecting on her pivotal role alongside the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, Kimathi painted a picture of a strategic and essential partnership.
“Our father trusted you completely because you had an unfailing ability to perceive purpose and possibility. You were far more than a right-hand; you were a strategic, clear-minded and unwavering,” he noted.
Beyond the political arena, the tribute concluded with a fond memory of her family role: “You were our protector, confidante and friend. As a grandmother, you were incredible, funny, generous, wise, strict, trendy and above all, kind.”
