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.”
Stay tuned for real-time stories breaking in Ghana. Return to the page for more stories as they break. (Updated February 17, 2026).
Court Orders Businessman to Pay GH¢200,000 for Breach of Promise to Marry
An Accra Circuit Court has ordered a businessman to pay GH¢200,000 in damages to a woman for breach of promise to marry after he failed to fulfil his commitment following a long-term relationship. The ruling, delivered February 14, 2026, followed evidence that the defendant had repeatedly assured the plaintiff of marriage, including family introductions and public engagements, before abruptly ending the relationship without justification. The court found the breach caused emotional distress and financial loss to the plaintiff. The case highlights ongoing legal recognition of breach of promise claims in Ghanaian courts.
Read the full story here
Late Frafra Queen Mother’s Grave Exhumed in Asante Mampong – Head Reportedly Chopped Off
The grave of the late Queen Mother of the Frafra community in Asante Mampong has been exhumed, with reports indicating her head was severed and removed. The incident, discovered on February 14, 2026, has shocked the traditional leadership and community, who suspect ritual or malicious intent. Police have launched an investigation, and chiefs have called for calm while traditional rites are performed to restore peace. The desecration has raised serious concerns about grave security and cultural respect in the Ashanti Region.
Read the full story here
COCOBOD Announces Salary Cuts, Cost Controls as Revenue Pressures Mount
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has introduced salary reductions for senior management and broad cost-control measures to address mounting revenue shortfalls and legacy debt. The February 14, 2026, announcement follows emergency Cabinet directives to stabilise the sector, with COCOBOD citing declining global cocoa prices, unpaid arrears, and financing constraints. The measures are intended to preserve operational capacity and ensure continuity of farmer payments and purchasing activities.
Read the full story here
Mahama Govt Has Made No Real Impact After One Year in Office – Afenyo-Markin
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has criticised the Mahama administration, stating that after one year in office, the government has failed to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Ghanaians. In a February 14, 2026, address, he accused the NDC of recycling old policies, failing to address cost-of-living pressures, and lacking innovation in job creation and economic recovery. The Minority called for urgent results on the “Reset Ghana” promises made during the 2024 campaign.
Read the full story here
Mahama Rallies Fellow World Leaders to Support Accra Reset
President John Dramani Mahama has appealed to African and global leaders to support Ghana’s “Reset” agenda during his address at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. On February 13, 2026, he outlined the initiative’s focus on governance renewal, economic transformation, anti-corruption measures, and regional cooperation, urging the AU to back Ghana’s efforts as a model for continental progress. Mahama also reiterated Ghana’s push for AfCFTA acceleration and debt relief mechanisms.
Read the full story here
Tony Aidoo Urges NDC to Focus on Policy Communication, Not Personal Praise for Mahama
Veteran NDC member Tony Aidoo has cautioned the party against excessive personal praise for President John Dramani Mahama, urging a shift toward clear policy communication and results. In comments on February 13, 2026, Aidoo said the focus should be on explaining the “Reset Ghana” agenda and delivering measurable outcomes rather than individual glorification. He emphasised that strong policy messaging will sustain public support more effectively than personality-driven narratives.
Read the full story here
Return to the page for more stories as they break
Happy Monday! Stay informed with today’s front pages of Ghanaian newspapers, all in one place. Newspapers for February 17, 2026.
Ghana News
Russian Embassy Criticized for “Empty” Statement on Viral Exploitation Videos involving Citizen
The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ghana has issued a brief statement in the wake of widespread public anger and social media uproar over allegations that Russian nationals are luring young Ghanaian women into filmed sexual encounters for online distribution without consent.
The release posted on X on February 16, 2026, fails to condemn the alleged exploitation, non-consensual recording, and distribution of intimate material by its nationals.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana has taken note of the reports in the Ghanaian media on the alleged involvement of a supposedly Russian citizen engaged in sexual activities with some Ghanaian women and recorded those acts without consent,” the post read.
The response comes after days of viral outrage on X, TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp groups, where screenshots, testimonies, and alleged links to explicit content prompted hashtags such as #ProtectGhanaianWomen and #StopTheRussianScheme.
MP Sam George, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection, has announced Ghana’s intent to pursue extradition if the primary suspect.
Responses on X
Responses to the post have been stronly worded. One person posted:
“Never trust those Russian scum. They throw African men into their war as cannon fodder & treat African women like disposable sex toys. Pure racist evil. Predators, not partners. WAKE UP AFRICA.”
Another asked:
“Any action taken?”
Another asked:
“So after taking the note, what next?”
Ghanaian authorities have disclosed they will pursue extradition proceedings against the man, said to have left Ghana.
The decision was announced by Member of Parliament Sam George on February 13, 2026, following weeks of public outrage over the alleged scheme.
According to Sam George — who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on Gender, Children and Social Protection — the suspect is believed to be a Russian national who used dating apps and social media to target young Ghanaian women, particularly students and professionals in Accra and other urban centres.
Victims were reportedly lured with promises of money, gifts or relationships, only to discover later that explicit videos were uploaded to adult websites and shared in private groups, often leading to blackmail, humiliation and threats.
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