Ghana News
President Mahama: Late Nana Konadu Was ‘A Towering National Figure’
Ghana on Friday, November 28, 2025, held a solemn and deeply symbolic state funeral in Accra for Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, the former First Lady whose imprint on national life, politics, and the struggle for women’s empowerment remains unmatched.
Independence Square—often the stage for Ghana’s most historic moments—fell quiet as political leaders, foreign dignitaries, clergy, and hundreds of mourners gathered to honour a woman widely regarded as one of the most influential public figures of the Fourth Republic.
Nana Konadu, who died on October 23, 2025, was celebrated not merely as the wife of the late President Jerry John Rawlings, but as a political force in her own right—bold, unflinching, and unafraid to expand the boundaries of a role previously seen as ceremonial.
Mahama’s Tribute: “A towering national figure”
In a tribute delivered on his behalf, President John Dramani Mahama captured the essence of her lifelong mission.
“She was a towering national figure whose influence, courage and contributions to Ghana will continue to resonate for generations,” the message read by Joyce Bawah Mogtari stated. “Nana Konadu was far more than a former First Lady. She was a pioneering leader, an unwavering champion of women’s empowerment, a trailblazer in our political landscape, and a deeply committed patriot.”
Mahama praised her “boldness to speak, to challenge, to lead,” noting that she redefined the First Lady’s office by turning it into a platform for national development.
The funeral drew an extraordinary lineup of Ghana’s political leadership—past and present.
President Mahama and First Lady Lordina Mahama sat alongside Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and senior government officials. In a show of national unity, former President Nana Akufo-Addo and his wife, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife, and former President John Agyekum Kufuor were all in attendance.
The Rawlings family, including the children of the late former First Lady, occupied the front rows—occasionally wiping tears as tributes echoed across the square.
A national mourning for a national matriarch
Her death triggered three days of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across the country. For many Ghanaians, it marked the end of an era defined by activism, political intensity, and a decades-long push for social justice.
Through the 31st December Women’s Movement, Nana Konadu championed literacy, economic empowerment, and reproductive health initiatives for rural women—long before such issues became mainstream in national policy discussions.
These efforts, combined with her outspoken style and political independence, often drew both admiration and controversy. But even her critics acknowledge that she shifted the political landscape and opened space for women’s leadership at the highest levels.
Friday’s final farewell capped weeks of tributes from across the political spectrum—rare for a figure who was as trailblazing as she was polarizing. But in death, the consensus is clear: Nana Konadu reshaped the expectations of Ghanaian womanhood in public life and broadened the possibilities for female leadership in Africa.
Her story, rooted in conviction and national service, will continue to define conversations on gender, politics, and civic activism for generations.
As one mourner put it quietly while filing past the coffin:
“She stood tall when it mattered—and she never stopped fighting for Ghana’s women.”
Accra, Ghana – The European Commission has approved a €20 million (a little over $23 million) grant to support the implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS Level 1) on Ghana’s Tema-Mpakadan railway line, in a major boost to the country’s efforts to modernise its rail infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
The 97-kilometre standard-gauge railway, commissioned in 2024 for US$449 million, has been operating significantly below capacity due to a non-functional signalling system.
This currently restricts operations to a single train movement at a time, limiting both passenger and freight services despite rising demand. Dr Frederick Appoh, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), confirmed the grant approval following engagements at the recent EU-Africa Business Forum in Abidjan.
The funding follows the submission of an Aide Mémoire on sustainable transport four months ago. The project’s identification phase has now been completed, with formal approval granted in Brussels on March 27, 2026.
Implementation will proceed through several key stages, including a Quality Review Committee assessment in May 2026, validation by the NDICI Committee of EU Member States in September, and an expected EU Financing Decision in October, with first disbursements targeted for December 2026.
Once completed, the ETCS Level 1 system will enable safe multiple train operations through advanced supervision and movement authority. Dr Appoh said the upgrade will significantly improve capacity, reliability, safety, and overall utilisation of the line as a strategic national asset.
The project aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision to revitalise the Volta Corridor and position Ghana’s railway sector as a key driver of economic growth and regional connectivity.
Ghana News
Prof Prempeh Slams Supreme Court, Police Officer Killed in Road Crash and Other Big Stories in Ghana Today
We have curated the most relevant and impactful stories from Ghana for your enjoyment and awareness.
Prof Prempeh Descends on Supreme Court and AG Over Suit Against OSP
Executive Director of the renowned think tank Center for Democratic Development, Ghana (CDD-Ghana), Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh, has launched a strong criticism of the Supreme Court and the Attorney-General’s Department over a suit filed against the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP). He described the legal action as an attempt to undermine the OSP’s independence and accused the judiciary and the AG of shielding corruption. Prof. Prempeh maintained that the move sets a dangerous precedent and weakens public confidence in anti-corruption institutions.
Read the full story here
Right Move, Wrong Timing – COMAC CEO Questions Govt’s Delay on Fuel Price Relief
The Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) has described the government’s planned intervention to reduce fuel prices as “the right move” but criticized the timing as too slow. He noted that the delay is compounding hardship on consumers already struggling with the recent sharp increases in petrol and diesel prices. The CEO called on the government to act more swiftly to implement relief measures before the situation escalates further.
Read the full story here
Mahama Enforces Fuel Coupon Ban for Ministers as Cabinet Moves to Slash Fuel Taxes
President John Dramani Mahama has directed that all government ministers and political appointees stop using fuel coupons with immediate effect. The directive comes as the Cabinet considers slashing certain fuel taxes and levies to provide relief to consumers following the recent price surge. The move is part of broader efforts by the government to demonstrate leadership and sacrifice amid the current economic pressures caused by global fuel price increases.
Read the full story here
NRSA Stands Firm on Toyota Voxy Ban Despite Transport Operators’ Opposition
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has maintained its ban on the use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial transport operations, despite strong opposition from transport unions and operators. The Authority cited safety concerns and the vehicle’s unsuitability for commercial passenger services. It has given operators a grace period to comply or switch to approved vehicles, insisting that the decision is non-negotiable and aimed at protecting public safety.
Read the full story here
Police Officer Killed in Road Crash at Atortorkorpe in Ada
A police officer has been killed in a tragic road accident at Atortorkorpe in the Ada area of Greater Accra. The officer lost his life while on duty when the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a crash. Police have commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident as colleagues mourn the loss of their fellow officer.
Read the full story here
Ex-Black Stars Player Accuses Family of Stealing His 8-Bedroom House
A former player of the Black Stars has accused members of his own family of allegedly stealing his eight-bedroom house. The ex-footballer claims the property was taken from him through fraudulent means while he was away. The case has sparked public interest and is currently under police investigation.
Read the full story here
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