The Deputy Director of Elections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the death of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings as “terrible news” for the party, noting that the NDC had recently begun efforts to reconcile with her and bring her closer to the fold.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, Mr. Rashid Tanko-Computer revealed that the idea of reuniting the former First Lady with the party had been discussed at the highest levels of the NDC following an appeal by her daughter, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings.

“Zanetor raised the issue that we should think of bringing her mother back to the party, and leadership started looking into it. Nobody in the party disliked her. Everybody considered her a mother of the NDC. She was instrumental in the formation of the party, and we accorded her that respect,” he said.

Mr. Tanko-Computer explained that ongoing conversations had centred on finding common ground for her return, given that she had founded and led the National Democratic Party (NDP) after parting ways with the NDC.

He expressed deep sorrow that the discussions could not materialise before her passing.

“Unfortunately, we lost her along the line. It’s terrible news for the NDC. We are mourning with the bereaved family,” Mr. Tanko said.

“Leadership is putting together an official statement. The party presidency has already issued one, and the Majority Group in Parliament has also expressed condolences. We have received the news with great shock because we respected her deeply — she was our mother as a party,” he added.

He further commended Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings for her continued service and dedication to the NDC, saying, “Her daughter is doing wonderfully well in the party, and we are proud of her.”

Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, wife of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings and a founding figure of the NDC, passed away today. Her death has been met with widespread grief across Ghana’s political landscape.