By Prinscilla Bulu
Former Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South and former Minister of Information under the Mills administration, Fritz Baffour, has shared heartfelt memories and reflections about the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, describing her as a remarkable woman who changed the story of women and children in Ghana.
Speaking in an interview with GTV breakfast show on November 25, 2025, Mr. Baffour said Nana Konadu was “not just a First Lady,” but a reformer, a strong force, and a champion for women’s empowerment, whose work transformed many lives across the country. He said her leadership in the 31st December Women’s Movement helped give rural women a voice, improved child nutrition and education, and opened doors for women’s economic independence at a time when issues affecting women were rarely discussed in public.
Baffour, who was a close family friend and worked with the Rawlings family for many years, described his relationship with Nana Konadu as deeply personal. He revealed that he had known her since childhood and became even closer to her after the passing of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
According to him, Nana Konadu came from a strong, disciplined, and hardworking family. Her father, G.T. Agyeman, was a leading businessman and the first African Managing Director of the Ghana National Trading Corporation, while her mother, Madam Felicia, was a teacher who ran a successful kindergarten in Accra. This upbringing, he said, shaped Nana Konadu into a confident, determined, and dynamic woman from a young age.
He described her personality as strong-willed, purposeful, creative, and highly practical, adding that she always knew what she wanted and went for it. Though many saw her as fierce, he explained that her fierceness was only a protective front. “Behind it, she had a very generous spirit,” he said.
He also spoke about her influence on Ghanaian fashion, noting that her iconic headgear style was never planned but came naturally from her background as a textile designer and her belief in presenting oneself well.
Reflecting on her time as First Lady, Baffour said she brought a new kind of energy into the role. Unlike previous First Ladies who worked quietly in the background, Nana Konadu became an active partner in leadership, sharing ideas and discussing national issues with her husband. He recalled that conversations with the couple were always about Ghana and never about personal comfort.
In their final conversations before her passing, Nana Konadu continued to worry about Ghana’s development, especially the state of education, overcrowded schools, and what she felt were unfulfilled national promises since independence.
He also highlighted the great impact of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which he documented in a film. He said the movement empowered women socially and economically, bringing structure, skills, and hope to communities across the country.
Speaking passionately about women, he added that his respect for women came from being raised by strong female figures. He described Ghanaian women as “the pillars who keep society together,” noting that even historically, when men went to war, they returned to homes that women had kept in order.
Fritz Baffour said the life of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings leaves important lessons for young women and the nation: strength, purpose, courage, and the belief that one woman can change many lives.
