Google search engine

A former aide to the Rawlings family and current Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Victor Smith, has disclosed that he was introduced into politics by the late Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings.

The late former First Lady died at the Ridge Hospital in Accra on October 23, 2025 after a short illness.

“She was a good person. I cut my teeth in politics through Mrs Rawlings. Then from the UK after studying, linked up with her because I used to send her pieces of information and ideas as to how this country should be run, our country Ghana, should be run. Nobody can take that credit. She was the one who literally held my hand into politics,” on TV3’s Ghana Tonight show on October 23.

“We used to discuss those things, exchanging ideas until I returned from the UK. And then, you know, still working with her, writing speeches and then sometimes touring places with her with the 31st December Women’s Movement,” he added.

According to him, “I’ve known her since 1993. First before I met her in 94, physically. And up until 2008, you would say she was my boss, but we were

the best of friends. We worked together for the 31st December Women’s Movement, as well as setting up the First Lady’s office together. So, I’ve known her very close quarters. I’ve traveled so many places in the world with her. And she was like a big sister. Until maybe 2008, when unfortunately, we parted company.”

Recalling some fond memories of the late Mrs Agyeman-Rawlings, Mr Simth noted that, “Well, I must say that not too long ago, myself and Zanetor sat down and she admitted to me that, look, you were part of our family. And, you know, certain things went wrong and she thinks I should make up with mum.  And I agreed with her in principle that I was going to go and see her and smoke a peace pipe, so to speak. Unfortunately, I never got around to doing it and now she’s gone.”

Mr Smith also recalled how he got assigned to Mrs Rawlings officially by the then President, the late Jerry John Rawlings.

“I used to work with the State Enterprises Commission and then one day she told the President she needed me to come and work for her, set up the First Lady’s office. And then the President got me moved into his office and assigned to her. So, from that moment, back in 94, December up until 2008, we were that close,” he related.

On how he received the news of the sudden passing of the former First Lady of Ghana, Mr Smith said, “This morning when I got the bad news. We all know that everybody will go eventually. We all pass… I was traumatized in the sense that I thought, oh, how sad, especially when her husband has gone. And in a few days, we’re going to look at five years of the husband’s passing and now she’s gone. I thought about the girls and Kimathi.”

He pledged to support the surviving children as much as possible.

“We got that close then, maybe not as we have it now, but still I’m there for them if they want to be family and friends again. I’m already an orphan and then if they’re also orphans, we can, you know, we can work together to make life easier,” he noted.

 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR