BOOK ON OKLEMEKUKU AZZU MATE KOLE LAUNCHED

• Braille version for the visually impaired also available

A hundred and forty two (142) paged book on the life and legacies of late Oklemekuku Azzu Mate Kole II, the fourth Konor (Paramount Chief) of Manya Krobo was, on Thursday, launched to set in motion a four-day programme lined up to mark the silver jubilee celebration of his demise.

The colourful and culturally rich event, graced by traditional rulers including Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo who also chaired the programme, was part of a memorial lecture held at the GNAT (Teachers’) Hall, Accra on the theme, “25 years of the end of a remarkable life and the end of an era - lessons, inspirations and the challenges of a state”.

Titled “Oklemekuku Azzu Mate Kole, a great king and statesman”, the book which also has a braille version to serve the visually impaired segment of the public, was written by Dr. Peter Kwabena Obeng-Asamoa, the Executive Director of the Ghana Blinds’ Union.

Dr. Peter Obeng-Asamoa, Exec. Director, Ghana Blind's Union

In an interviews, Dr. Obeng-Asamoa, who is a grandson of the late king said “I realised there was so much about this man that was unknown, including his impressive contributions to the development of Ghana and of his native people of Manya Krobo”. “Because of my experience as a visually challenged person, I also wanted to demonstrate that God could use anyone to do anything - disability can’t be the end of one’s life”, he stated.

Mr. James Otieku of the University of Ghana who reviewed the book and gave highlights at the launch said, “The writer demonstrated great literary acumen. He traced the history of the Krobos; the role played by key people in the growth of the Manya Krobo state, the transition from a theocratic rule to monarchy and the importance of chieftaincy as an institution in the socio-economic development of the people. He also gave a detailed account of the early years of the man, Oklemekuku - his exploits growing up and the legacies he left his people and the country Ghana. “I therefore recommend this book to the citizenry, specifically to leadership and governance students”, he added.

Launching the book, Mr. Eric Yankah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YANKAH Links, lauded the writer for making provision for the visually challenged, whom he described as a core segment of the public but who are often not taken care of in literary works like this. “This is a loud call on all authors to consider this key section of the population in their works”, he emphasized.

The Minister for Tourism and Creative Arts, Hon. Dzifa Ablah Gomashie, in a statement read on her behalf by Ms. Olivia Opoku, Director of Research and Statistics of the ministry, eulogise Nene Azzu Mate Kole and said “Nene epitomized his culture and took chieftaincy to its peak. I am excited at the fact that there is now a detailed documentation on his life and work which will not only help develop our culture but transmit it too”, she said.

Other dignitaries who graced the event were the La Mantse, Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru III; Dr. K. B. Asante, a retired diplomat; Rev. Samuel Atter Odjelua, Director of Ecumenical and Social Relations of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana; Nana Aplam II, Queen of Manya Krobo; Okpatakpla (Nene) Sasraku IV, divisional chief of Manya, Nene Asare Tekpor of Akwenor, Manya Krobo, among others. 

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