A posthumous honorary doctorate degree has been conferred on the late former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, at the 5th Session of the 17th Congregation of the University of Professional Studies, Accra, held on December 4, 2025.

The honour recognises her decades of advocacy, women’s empowerment initiatives and dedicated national service.

The degree was received on her behalf by her daughter, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.

The ceremony also saw the awarding of postgraduate degrees to students graduating from the School of Graduate Studies, including Doctor of Philosophy and various Masters programmes.

Programmes awarded included: PhD in Marketing; MPhil in Accounting, Finance, and Leadership; MSc in Procurement Management; MSc in Leadership and Organisational Development; MA in Peace, Security and Intelligence Management; MA in Brands and Communications Management; and MA in Digital and Strategic Marketing Management.

Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Professor Joshua Alabi, a former Vice-Chancellor of UPSA said the recognition represented a celebration of their journey as scholars, contributors, and nation-builders.

“This recognition is not merely an award; it symbolises a collective story of faith, resilience and transformation,” he said.

He urged the public to be patriotic and committed to excellence in service to humanity and encouraged students to remain diligent and persistent even when conditions were not ideal.

Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, commended the honourees for their commitment to national development, describing their achievements as exemplary and inspiring to younger generations.

He urged the graduating students to learn from the honourees and strive for excellence in their pursuits.

“Your future may not unfold exactly as planned. You may not begin where you dream to be, but whatever opportunity comes your way, seize it with grace, humility and excellence,” he said.

Nana Konadu, Ghana’s longest-serving First Lady, passed away on October 23, 2025, at the age of 76.

Death of the late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings: What we know so far

During her tenure as First Lady, she founded the 31st December Women’s Movement, which transformed women’s development by teaching income-generating skills, promoting community mobilisation and advocating improved economic opportunities for women across the country.

Her work significantly shaped national policies, including influencing the landmark 1989 law that guaranteed inheritance rights for women and children.

She is also widely credited for her role in strengthening provisions for gender equality in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which paved the way for the return to multiparty democracy.

How Rawlings feigned joining a choir just to win Konadu’s heart

Watch the video below:

LIVE | Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings receives the honorary Doctorate Degree conferred on her late mother and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, at the 5th session of the 17th Congregation at UPSA. pic.twitter.com/wqK4rAd1Ah

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