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Sustain Causes Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings Fought For — Aglow International, AWLN Ghana
Two women’s organisations have urged Ghanaians to honour the memory of Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings by sustaining the causes she fought for — especially the empowerment of women at all levels of society.
In separate statements, Aglow International Ghana and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana Chapter described her as a trailblazer, visionary, and tireless advocate for women’s empowerment and leadership.
They expressed deep sorrow over her passing and celebrated her lifelong dedication to advancing the rights and wellbeing of women and girls in Ghana and across Africa.
The National President of Aglow International, Mrs Dorothy Danso, speaking on behalf of the National Executive and the entire membership, eulogised the former First Lady for her passion, courage, and enduring contribution to women’s development.
“Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings was a woman of purpose and passion whose life and work profoundly transformed the lives of countless Ghanaian women,”
Mrs Danso said.
She added that Aglow International would continue to uphold the values of prayer, leadership, and service that the late First Lady championed throughout her public life.
“On behalf of the entire Aglow family, we pray that God, the comforter, will console and strengthen the bereaved family, her children, and all who mourn this great woman. May the Almighty grant them peace, and may her legacy of service, courage, and empowerment continue to shine brightly in the hearts of women across Ghana and beyond,”
Mrs Danso added.
Aglow assured the family of its continued prayer support and solidarity during this period of mourning.
In a related message, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Ghana Chapter also extended heartfelt condolences to the family of the late First Lady. The group described Nana Konadu as “a towering figure in the advancement of women’s rights and political participation in Ghana and Africa.”
The statement praised her founding of the 31st December Women’s Movement, which championed women’s economic empowerment, education, and political inclusion. Her leadership, the group noted, opened doors for thousands of women to gain visibility, confidence, and voice in public life.
“We join the nation in mourning the passing of a true icon — a woman whose vision, determination, and advocacy reshaped the national agenda for gender equality,”
the statement said.
AWLN Ghana pledged to continue promoting the ideals Nana Konadu stood for, including mentorship for young women, leadership development, and equal representation in decision-making spaces.
As the nation mourns her passing, tributes continue to pour in from across the political, religious, and civil society spectrum, celebrating Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings as a pioneer, reformer, and beacon of women’s leadership.
By Spectator Reporter
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Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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