Cecilia Johnson, a pioneering figure in Ghanaian politics and a beloved stalwart of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the age of 79. Her death, following a brief illness, was confirmed by family members and close associates, marking the end of an era for one of the country’s most resilient female leaders. Affectionately known as “Auntie Ceci,” Johnson’s contributions to women’s empowerment, local governance, and national advisory roles left an indelible mark on Ghana’s democratic evolution.
Born in Awua-Domase in the then Brong-Ahafo Region—now part of the Bono Region—Johnson was one of 12 children raised by Joana Bennett, a respected community matriarch whose own funeral in 2016 drew dignitaries including then-President John Dramani Mahama. From these humble beginnings, Johnson emerged as a trailblazer, embodying the grit and determination that defined her six-decade career in public service.
Her political journey began in the turbulent revolutionary years of the 1980s under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) led by Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings. As General Secretary of the 31st December Women’s Movement—a flagship organization of the era—Johnson spearheaded initiatives to uplift women in education, health, and economic participation. The movement, often credited with laying the groundwork for gender equity in Ghana, reflected her unwavering commitment to marginalized voices during a time of profound social transformation.
With the dawn of multiparty democracy in 1992, Johnson seamlessly transitioned into the newly formed NDC, becoming a core member of its “Old Guard”—the cadre of leaders who steered the party from its military-inspired roots into a formidable democratic force. Under Rawlings’ presidency, she served as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, where she championed decentralization efforts that empowered district assemblies and rural communities. Her tenure was instrumental in fostering grassroots governance, ensuring that development reached beyond urban centers and into the heartlands of Ghana.
Johnson’s influence extended into the post-Rawlings era. She continued to advise successive NDC administrations, including those of the late President John Evans Atta Mills and Mahama. In a crowning achievement, she was appointed Chairperson of the Council of State in 2017, succeeding the late Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. As head of Ghana’s premier advisory body to the president, Johnson provided sage counsel on matters of state, drawing on her vast experience to bridge divides and promote national unity. Her role underscored her status as a non-partisan elder statesman, even as her loyalties remained firmly with the NDC.
Throughout her career, Johnson was celebrated for her resilience amid personal and political challenges. She navigated the highs of electoral victories and the lows of party transitions with grace, earning accolades as one of Ghana’s most enduring female politicians. Her advocacy for women transcended politics; she mentored generations of leaders and remained a vocal proponent of gender parity in governance long after leaving office.
Tributes have begun pouring in from across the political spectrum. Former President Mahama, who once attended her mother’s funeral alongside his wife Lordina, described Johnson as “a mother to the NDC and a pillar of our democracy.” Party colleagues hailed her as the “architect of women’s progress in Ghana,” while even rivals acknowledged her bipartisan wisdom. Details of funeral arrangements are pending, but sources indicate a state funeral befitting her stature, likely to unite Ghanaians in mourning and reflection.