Old students of Achimota School delivered one of the most poignant moments at the state funeral of former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings on Thursday, as members of the 1966/67 combined year group gathered around her casket to honour her memory.
In keeping with Achimota’s tradition, the group formed a tight circle around the casket before reading their tribute.
Choked with emotion, they sang the school hymns, with many breaking into tears as they recalled their days together nearly six decades ago.
Nana Konadu, who entered Achimota School in 1961, was remembered not only as a national figure but also as a vibrant, gifted student whose influence extended far beyond the classroom.
According to the group, she was “a force of nature” even in her teenage years—creative, confident, and effortlessly influential.
She was widely known for forming a girls’ musical group and earned admiration for her powerful rendition of Aretha Franklin’s Respect, a performance her classmates still remember vividly.
She was equally gifted in ballet choreography, often taking lead roles in school operettas that consistently drew large audiences.
One of the most striking memories shared was her standout performance during Queen Elizabeth II’s 1961 visit to Ghana. Nana Konadu, then a schoolgirl, captivated the crowd with her splits and handstand routines, earning recognition as the star of the show.
Beyond the stage, she excelled in sports, including athletics, swimming, and lawn tennis, representing Achimota both locally and internationally.
As their tribute concluded, the former students placed their hands on the casket, pausing in quiet reflection to deliver an emotional farewell to a woman whose impact touched everyone who crossed her path.
