The women's rights advocate and president of FIDA Ghana, Gloria Ofori-Boadu, has described the late former first lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings as one of Ghana's most transformational women leaders, whose activism reshaped national attitudes toward women's rights, political participation and family welfare.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (28 November) for a special edition dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of the first first lady of the Fourth Republic and longest-serving first lady in the history of Ghana, Ofori-Boadu said Nana Konadu must be remembered as "a great woman leader and a visionary - especially for women".
Reflecting on the beginnings of the 31st December Women's Movement, Ofori-Boadu said Nana Konadu saw the challenges women faced at a time when the broader Ghanaian society was not yet sensitised to issues of gender inequality.
She recalled that the movement's motto - "Total liberation by any means necessary" - and its bold symbol of a woman holding a gun were a powerful departure from conventional expectations of Ghanaian womanhood.
"It was non-traditional and radical," she said. "But she understood that women needed to be liberated from seen and unseen limitations within the public space.
"These interventions changed perceptions of what women could do," she said. "They allowed women to earn more, contribute more and see themselves as capable of leadership."
Nana Konadu's activism, Ofori-Boadu said, was pivotal in opening up political space for women. When Ghana returned to multiparty democracy in 1992, women's representation in Parliament more than doubled.
"For the first time we had over ten women in Parliament - and many of them came from the [31st December Women's] movement," she said.
She credits Nana Konadu's visibility and relentless nationwide advocacy for inspiring more women to seek leadership roles.
Her decision to run for president, Ofori-Boadu added, was a landmark moment.
"She was not successful, but she opened up the space and encouraged more women to aspire to the highest office. I even wrote an article in the Daily Graphic congratulating her. It was a big step."
Ofori-Boadu highlighted Nana Konadu's central role in pushing for PNDC Law 111, the intestate succession law, which transformed inheritance rights in Ghana.
"It protected spouses and children - regardless of religion, ethnicity, or type of marriage," she said, noting that it applies equally to men and women. "It's one of the most innovative and gender-neutral laws we have."
She also credited the former first lady with helping establish the national Cardiothoracic Centre, as described in the memoirs of Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, and championing other social welfare initiatives.
Beyond legal reform, Gloria Ofori-Boadu believes Nana Konadu's most transformative contribution was her investment in early childhood development.
"Research shows children who go through these centres have a strong academic and social advantage," she said, citing examples of female leaders who benefited directly from the 31st December Women's Movement daycare centres in their youth.
She urged policymakers, churches, communities and local governments to revive and expand the model nationwide.
As Ghana reflects on the life of the late first lady, Ofori-Boadu said she believes her legacy must be preserved through structured policy work.
"A foundation should be set up for Nana Konadu," she said. "Her work in political participation, economic empowerment, family welfare and early childhood development should be captured and continued."
To many women who work in the public sphere, Ofori-Boadu added, Nana Konadu "still lives on vividly" as a symbol of courage and possibility.