BY Grace Zigah
Ghana will today hold a full State Funeral in honour of Her Excellency Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the influential former First Lady whose decades of public service, activism and national impact made her one of the country’s most prominent political figures.
The ceremony, fully organised by the State in collaboration with her maternal royal families, will take place at the Independence Square in Accra.
The National Democratic Congress Government, working closely with the Office of the Asantehene, the Aboatia Abusua of Mpobi, the Dwirafieso Abusua of Antoa, and the Agyeman and Agyeman-Rawlings families, confirmed all arrangements for the national event.
Authorities say today’s funeral marks the final opportunity for the nation to pay its respects to a woman who contributed immensely to the democratic and social development.
A National Farewell for a National Icon
Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, rose to prominence not only as First Lady but as a powerful voice for women’s empowerment.
Through the 31st December Women’s Movement, she spearheaded nationwide programmes that reshaped women’s participation in politics, education, healthcare and entrepreneurship.
Her passing ignited a wave of national grief, prompting President and State officials to initiate a full state-led funeral to honour her legacy.
Beyond her political life, her deep royal lineage—rooted in Mpobi and Antoa—brought traditional authorities into the planning of her final rites, ensuring both State protocol and cultural tradition are reflected in today’s ceremony.
State Funeral Programme
According to the official release, today’s event will begin at:
6:00 a.m. — Arrival of the cortege at Independence Square, the main venue selected by the State for the national ceremony.
Attire: Mourners are required to wear black, and the State emphasizes that no official funeral cloth has been designed for the ceremony.
The event is open to the general public, with thousands expected to gather alongside government officials, Members of Parliament, the diplomatic corps, traditional leaders and international dignitaries.
State security and protocol teams have been deployed to manage access, direct seating and maintain order throughout the ceremony.
The Government clarified that the ceremonies held today at Independence Square constitute the final funeral rites for the former First Lady. No additional funeral events will take place after the burial service concludes, underscoring the State’s intention to provide a complete and dignified national farewell.
Appeal for Orderliness
Authorities are advising the public to arrive early and comply strictly with all security and protocol instructions to ensure a smooth state ceremony befitting the national stature of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
The State, together with her family, extended gratitude to Ghanaians for the overwhelming sympathy and support shown throughout the period of mourning.
