Widow Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings
Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, yesterday bid her late husband farewell in a moving tribute read by one of their daughters, Amina.
She described the former military junta leader who metamorphosed into a civilian President, leading Ghana for 19 years, as a hero who sacrificed his life in order for the country to be put on a path of growth and prosperity.
Mrs. Agyeman-Rawlings, through grief stricken Aminia, recounted how hard the country was when her husband staged a coup and how Mr. Rawlings selflessly did everything possible to bring hope to the people, particularly women empowerment, saying “with your help and support we were able to fight for the rights of women, a reality.”
“Our home went from our little oasis to an open refuge for all manner of people that believed in your cause. You were passionate and open-hearted, sharing all you had without a thought for yourself,” she said amid tears.
She continued on behalf of her mother, “After the arrival of Yaa Asantewaa, it felt like the nation was at its peak with hardship. In spite of this, Jerry, your gift of sharing knew no bounds. You would bring different people into our apartment (strangers and friends) for tea, coffee and any meal you could lay your hands on in our kitchen. I tried countless times to hide the meagre provisions we had for the children but somehow you always discovered my stash; much to the mirth of your friends.”
She recounted how Mr. Rawlings challenged her to prove her worth by denying her the opportunity to use state resources to fund her December 31 Women’s Movement (DWM), which virtually became the women’s wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a political party her husband founded before becoming a civilian President after the 1992 election.
“You expected me to prove my worth, by refusing to help my organization financially and challenging me flatly to raise my own funds if I felt the cause was important enough,” she said, adding, “Today, I appreciate and understand the importance of separating Women’s Movement, my NGO’s work from government business. I went all around the world boldly fundraising and shamelessly negotiating in different sectors for opportunities for Ghanaian women and children.”
No Coincidence
Mrs. Rawlings said she was convinced that it was not by sheer coincidence that she met Mr. Rawlings and said they were meant to be.
She opened the tribute with a beautiful poem, eulogizing her husband by describing how supportive he was to her as a wife, mother and throughout her endeavors to empower women in Ghana and also help underprivileged communities.
“Jerry, I know God created us for each other and today we make a formidable team, notwithstanding the ups and downs of life. We believed in each other and in our dream of making Ghana a country we could all be proud of,” she said, adding, “To me, you were and will always be Jerry, my love, my life partner, my friend, you worked for Ghana… I say farewell.”
Street Nostalgia
The former First lady said in her tribute that there’s so much she did not know until her marriage to Mr. Rawlings.
“I was innocent and you were streetwise, there was so much I did not know about the real-life outside the wings and home of Mr. & Mrs J. O. T. Agyeman, since I had lived in a very protected space under their roof,” she said.
She said Mr. Rawlings exposed her to most of his friends and acquaintances which went against most of the values as a result of her upbringing.
“I had to learn how to be streetwise, move along with the flow of your friends and acquaintances but it still did not sit well with me. It went against all of the upbringings I had intensely received,” she added.
Mrs. Rawlings recounted she did not give in to the pressure from her husband, expressing delight that mutual understanding was reached on the matter.
“You finally understood me to take me as I am. I was who I was and there was nothing I could do about it,” she said.
Children’s tribute
Member of Parliament for Korley Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, eldest daughter of the former President read the tribute on behalf of the children and said his drive for change and revolution reflected in all regards of his life, including the naming of his children.
She even explained the names her parents gave her and her siblings, to reflect her father’s love for Africa.
“Zanetor, an Ewe extraction name, a command meaning ‘darkness must cease’. A name you made and gave to your first child during the difficult times in Ghana as you hoped for an end to the corruption and economic hardship,” she explained.
Rawlings Biography
The biography of Mr. Rawlings, which was read by Eric Gbeho, said he worked to bring governance close to the people.
“Jerry Rawlings brought governance to the people. He encouraged citizens to participate in local governance,” he said.
GAF Tribute
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) said that the late former President Jerry John Rawlings had a deep sense of patriotism and nationalism.
Air Commodore Jacob Ashrifie, who read a tribute on behalf of the military, said, “He had a deep sense of patriotism and nationalism, he was very considerate of others no matter their status in society.
“His spirit was unbreakable and could never be affected by any challenging act. He will be remembered as the longest-serving Head of State of Ghana, and the architect of the fourth republic has been the most endearing.”
By Ernest Kofi Adu