I should have written this long ago, but as my mother would always say, “procrastination is the thief of time.”I’ve lived most of my life without regrets, but not writing this earlier will have to be one of my deepest ones.
My earliest memory of this remarkable woman from when I was just a little boy until now is shaped by one defining brand value she held in high esteem: AUTHENTICITY.
Now let me explain.
3 years ago, while studying Development Communication at the university for my second degree, a course I loved deeply, I came across a word that has stayed with me ever since: Intervention. It struck me that this single word was the very soul of the discipline. You can adopt any style or approach to your intervention, as long as it aligns with the foundational principles of creating real, lasting change.
And that’s exactly what Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings did. She was an exceptional development communicator who didn’t need a classroom to master the discipline; she embodied it. Her communication was rooted in culture, in truth, and in an unshakable sense of self. Her method was simple yet profound: AUTHENTICITY.
You see, I’m a firm believer in the art of being authentic. It’s not something that just happens, you have to cultivate it, live it, and wear it. And that was Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings. She wore her values so wellthat she didn’t need to say much to communicate them.
That’s the essence of personal branding. You need to wear your values well enough to communicate them effectively, something many people today fail to realize. Look at figures like Kwabena Darko of Darko Farms, Kofi Amoabeng of UT Bank, or Kojo Soboh of EMY Africa. These individuals didn’t just talk about excellence, integrity, and innovation, they lived and wore those values.
In that same breath, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings embodied empowerment long before it became a trending conversation. She gave women in Ghana a voice through femininity clothed in excellence. She wasn’t loud about it; she lived it.
My earliest image of her is etched in memory: always draped in refined kente, crowned with her signature headgear; a portrait of poise, dignity, and cultural pride. Her appearance wasn’t just about fashion; it was communication in motion. Through it, she defined what the model Ghanaian woman could look like; strong, elegant, confident, and deeply connected to her roots.
Her values were visible in everything she touched; the emphasis she placed on the education of the Ghanaian girl child, her leadership through the 31st December Women’s Movement, and the campaigns she championed such as “Send Your Girl Child to School.” Even the initiatives she supported with her husband, like the Intestate Succession Law, reflected her vision for fairness, empowerment, and justice.
But beyond her achievements, what stood out most was her approach to service delivery. It was methodical, excellent, and distinctly Ghanaian. This is why I believe universities across the country; those offering courses in Marketing, Brand and Communications Management, Development Communication, and Digital Marketing, should study her as a case model.
We live and do business in Ghana; our case studies must reflect our environment. To truly develop effective communicators, strategists, and brand thinkers, we need Ghanaian examples; stories like Nana Konadu’s that show how to achieve global impact through a local lens.
Because before we can solve global problems, we must first learn how to solve our national ones. And from my own experience working in Ghana, the most effective problem solvers are often those who learn by doing, who understand the context, and who embody the values they wish to communicate.
So, as we celebrate the life and legacy of this phenomenal woman, let us remember her not only for her leadership and advocacy but also for her uncompromising authenticity and excellence. She was a woman who wore her values well, and through that, she communicated power, grace, and vision to a whole nation.
My prayer goes out to her family. Her children, grandchildren, and loved ones for the loss of a mother whose values will continue to inspire generations.
Rest well, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
Your life was, and remains, a beautiful lesson in leadership, womanhood, and authenticity.
Nana Osei- Ababio
Media Gates Consult, UK
