End of An Era
Everything is happening like a dream.
Heard the bad news yesterday. Found out from a close friend who is always on top of the news. But the news sprang on me like a bolt out of the blue.
I was on phone with my own Mother. And although I listened to the news, I was so full of disbelief. Like…? How could Nana Konadu be anything but alive and kicking? She looked like she was sprinting straight to her nineties!
Growing up, she graced our screens all the time. As a three-, four-, or five-year-old, I used to wonder if our TV was for her and her husband Former President Rawlings. They were always on our TV, and on the news everywhere. And I used to wonder. But I always thought she was graceful, even though I felt she could maybe eat a little more. I thought her headgears were fancy, and she usually wore African print (even before President Kuffour made them popular). She had the same smile, which I thought was radiant and beautiful. And as I grew up, I saw that she had an unspeakable class. She was also a great dancer, and the chemistry between her and her husband was surreal, to die for even.
I saw her championing the cause of women, saw her with her 31st December Women’s Movement. When I grew up a bit more, around primaries five and six, I used to wonder if that was the Women’s Wing of the NDC. Maybe it was, maybe not. But I watched them with a lot of curiosity when she and her women, would come on our screens. They were always doing something. I did not understand then, but I have come to understand, that she was constantly championing the cause of women. And that is remarkable for any woman to do. I have heard that women are often our own enemies. So, to publicly and politically stand up for the cause of your fellow women is ‘worthy’, I think.
She embodied a sort of unparalleled class. When she was on TV with other dignitaries from other countries, she always appeared natural to me, in her own elements; she didn’t have to force anything. Didn’t need to force herself to belong, she owned the room. And what a gospel that was for me as a young Ghanaian girl growing up. She was also sometimes fierce, an Iron Lady for all purposes. Sometimes I wondered, why is she so hard? Other times, I felt, how did she do it? She was super confident. Still other times, I felt she was dangerous, better not cross her.
When I was young, most Ghanaians complained that she was too thin, or skinny, whichever was less insulting. Some even claimed they’d never seen her pregnant before. You know where that was going. But when we grew older, I realised she still had it, refusing to grow (literally), the woman seemed actually to get more beautiful with years, she aged like fine wine, the same could however not be said about her pundits.
Then as an adult, I met her son!!! He left a lasting impression on me. Not because he had once been a first son, and was now a public figure, but he is kinder and better mannered than 90 percent of all the men I have met in Ghana (and that is me being generous.) He is kind and well-mannered to a fault. (I’m willing to do a separate story on How I met Kimathi if you will leave a request for me in the comments). My meeting with him, told me one truth, that that young man is a living example of a man who has been raised right. And if you are ever in doubt, watch him with his Mother, and see how he treats her. Anyway, I digress!
So Konadu is (/was, whatever, really) not only our longest serving First Lady who distinguished herself with dignity and honour (you are welcome to disagree). From her formal meetings with the Clintons, to meeting Maya Angelou, and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, she has been the epitome of class, a Beijing champion, an Iron Lady, a definitive Fashionista, the loyal wife/widow of Former President Rawlings, a Beloved Mother, a disciplinarian, a strong black woman, and an epitome of beauty.
Fun Fact:
I have been told that I resemble her in facial features, mannerisms, and in being an Iron Lady. And I take that as a compliment. (Do you see a resemblance?)
With the passing of Jerry John Rawlings five years ago, and now his widow, this is now potentially the end of an era! Rest in Peace, Your Excellency Mrs. Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.
Fare Thee Well.
