The children of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings delivered a moving tribute at her state funeral at the Black Star Square on Friday.
They remembered her not only as a fearless advocate and a national icon but also as a woman who found deep joy in good music and dancing.
They said their mother’s “chats and the joy of watching you dance to music videos of your favourite artists brought warmth and laughter into our lives.”
They described her “Joie la vive” as something rooted in “the embrace of family, good music and dance.”
Their tribute painted a portrait of a woman whose lighter moments were as powerful as her public battles.
They said she lived “the consummate life of a tireless patriot, a woman who loved her country and celebrated it every opportunity she got.”
They recalled how she refused to accept that “a woman existed only to be dependent on their husbands.”
They said she “carved out your own mission” and as President of the 31st December Women’s Movement, she built an institution that “ignited a force that transformed the landscape of women’s rights and education.”
They highlighted the movement’s work. They said it “established about 1000 early childhood development centres, advanced adult literacy, set up income-generating activities, and led legal reforms granting inheritance rights to women and children.”
They remembered her as a leader who championed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and “fought relentlessly for the dignity and self-reliance of women.”
They said she lived as “a woman of action.” They said she taught them that “doing nothing was never acceptable.”
They said her “conviction and insistence on action gave courage to the countless women” and inspired democratic participation.
They described her as a woman of clarity and strength. They said she lived “a life of remarkable courage and resilience.”
They admired how she combined “endless and exacting” energy with wisdom and mystery. Time spent with her, they said, “was always a lesson.”
The children also reflected on her partnership with former President Jerry John Rawlings.
They said he trusted her completely because “you had an unfailing ability to perceive purpose and possibility.” They called her strategic and unwavering and said, “You and Dad were, in truth, one another’s partners.”
They remembered her as a committed mother who was their “protector, our advocate, our confidant, and, most importantly, our friend.”
As a grandmother, she was “funny, generous, playful, wise, strict, trendy, and above all else, hard.” They said her storytelling, remarks, and even her “occasional blastings” are deeply missed.
But it was her delight in music and movement that coloured their most intimate memories. They said watching her dance brought “warmth and laughter.”
They said she found joy in the simplest pleasures and that “your Joie la vive was found in the simple case, the embrace of family, good music and dance.”
They ended their tribute with affection and longing. They called her “Queen of our hearts” and said her legacy lives through the lessons and love she shared. They said they will “emulate your dignified dance through life.”
They closed by saying, “We love and miss you, Mom; we love and miss you, Dad. So much.”
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