Azzu Mate Kole II

Oklemekuku, Nene Azzu Mate Kole II, , known in private life as Frederick Lawer Mate Kole (January 1910 – 15 March 1990) was a Ghanaian paramount chief and statesman who served as the fourth monarch or king, Konor of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area in southeastern Ghana and reigned from 1939 to 1990.

Early life and education Mate Kole was born in January 1910 to Nene Sir Emmanuel Mate Kole who ruled the Manya Krobo Traditional Area between 1892 and 1939. He attended Basel Mission/Presbyterian primary and middle schools.

Role in national development Mate Kole was appointed a member of the government's Central Advisory Committee on Education (1946–1951) and released stool lands for the establishment of the Mount Mary Training College and the University of Ghana's Agricultural Research Station at Kpong.

Honours and awards In recognition of his contributions to the development of his hometown, Manya Krobo and the country, Mate Kole was accorded with several honours, including the King's Medal for Chiefs (KMC) in 1942; Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1948; the Order of the Volta (OV) in 1969; Doctor of Law (LLD honoris causa), University of Ghana in 1975. In 1989, during the golden jubilee anniversary of his enthronement, the Manya Krobo state honoured him with highest traditional title of the land, "Oklemekuku", meaning "a great leader and an ancient fellow", in appreciation of his contributions to the socioeconomic development of Manya Krobo in areas relating to education, agriculture, water and sanitation, road works and transport.

Death and legacy Nene Azzu Mate Kole II died on 15 March 1990 of natural causes, not long after the golden jubilee celebrations of his enthronement as chieftain of Manya Krobo (1939–1989). In accordance with his native traditions, his funeral ceremony was held in 1992, which was attended by several Ghanaian dignitaries. On the silver jubilee of his death, a lecture on girl-child education was held in his memory at the Odumase Presbyterian Church at Odumase-Krobo. The lecture, chaired by the reigning monarch, Nene Sakite II, Konor of Manya Krobo was on the topic, "Oklemekuku Azzu Mate Kole: A great king and a statesman".