By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – A memorial Mass will be held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, on October 23 to mark the first anniversary of the passing of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, former First Lady and Founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement.
A statement issued by the Agyeman-Rawlings Family said the Mass would commence promptly at 1000 hours and end at midday.
It said the attire for the occasion would be white or black and white.
“The family is inviting members of the public to join them in a solemn remembrance of a mother, grandmother, auntie, distinguished gender advocate and the woman who changed the role of First Ladies in Ghana, ensuring that they became a positive influence on our communities,” the statement said.
Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings passed away on October 23, 2025.
The statement said that as First Lady from 1981 to 2001, she was politically active and served as a leading advocate for women’s empowerment, gender equality, grassroots development and poverty alleviation.
It noted that during the establishment of the district assemblies in the 1980s and throughout her political career, Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings encouraged Ghanaian women to participate in the governance of their communities, paving the way for the increasing number of women in politics, industry and leadership positions today.
The statement said her non-governmental organisation, the 31st December Women’s Movement, constructed more than 1,000 early childhood development centres across Ghana through support from development partners, international organisations and local communities.
It said the centres had contributed significantly to reducing poverty by expanding access to pre-school education, particularly among rural and low-income communities.
The statement noted that the late former First Lady played a key role in the establishment of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Party in 2010 and contested, but lost, the Party’s flagbearership race in 2011.
It said she founded the National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2012 and became the first female presidential aspirant in Ghana’s history to contest as a presidential candidate on the ticket of the NDP in the 2016 general election.
The statement described Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings’ legacy as profound.
It said she played a pivotal role at the 1995 United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing and took a leading role in regional peace initiatives involving First Ladies in West Africa and across the continent.
The statement added that her unwavering advocacy for the rights of women and children contributed to the promulgation of PNDC Laws 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115, as well as Article 28(1) of the 1992 Constitution, provisions that are also reflected in the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560).
“Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings will be remembered for standing firm in her convictions, serving her nation with distinction and leaving an indelible mark on the history of Ghana,” the statement said.
It said the legacy of the former First Lady would continue to inspire women and children in Ghana and beyond for generations to come.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah