ADVERTISEMENT
Brief Tribute to Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings
My Encounter with Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings happened when I was working at the IEA. A receptionist called me telling me Nana Konadu was there to see me, so I went downstairs to our small conference room to meet her.
I greeted her and asked how she was doing. I asked how Papa J was also doing. Then she said she was there to see one Dr Gyampo. She didnt know I was the one she was talking to. So I smiled and asked politely what the conversation was about. Then she politely asked if I could go call Dr Gyampo because she wanted to discuss something urgently and she was also late already for a meeting.
Once again I smiled and before I could change the topic again, she yelled at me and said “Gentleman , you are being rude, go call me Dr Gyampo”. Then I calmly said “mum, I am Dr Gyampo”. Then she said “wow, are you the Dr Gyampo”? Then I said YES, thinking she was going to begin a verbal fight with me because, I recall, around that week, I had severely criticized Jerry Rawlings for not giving Atta Mills the peace of mind to govern.
But she sat down in great surprise and said “I was expecting to see some giant or an old man”. Then I responded jokingly that “mum, I am old but not giant, I may not be tall but remember, I am taller than many people in Ghana including Nana Akufo Addo”. She busted into laughter and said “Doc, your voice is bigger than your person”. Then I laughed.
She needed some information which I readily had in my head because I had researched it. So I easily recited it to her. She was grateful and asked that I visit them sometimes but I retorted “if Papa J wont beat me up”… Then she laughed aaa till I escorted her to her car.
She was a hardworking First Lady whose role, I believe has set the tone for the functioning of all First Ladies in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
Rest well, Mum, Rest in Peace.
