During the vetting of George Opare Addo, Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, on January 22, 2025, the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, openly recognised Opare Addo as a fellow Freemason, sparking interest in the organization’s influence among public figures in the country.

This was not the first time Afenyo-Markin had spoken about his Masonic affiliations.

In 2016, he stated on the 'Starr Chat' show that Freemasonry’s teachings aligned with his Catholic beliefs.

“Freemasonry is a fraternal society that believes in God Almighty and follows certain principles that guide a man’s life. It does not run counter to my beliefs as a Catholic,” he stated.

With that being said, here are some facts about Freemasonry

Freemasonry is one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world. It unites men of good character who, though of different religious, ethnic, or social backgrounds, share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.

Freemasonry offers a system or blueprint for a good man to further improve his character and actions through its system of degrees, symbols, and fellowship opportunities.

The United Grand Lodge of England reports that worldwide membership totals more than 6 million Freemasons, with 1.1 million of them residing in North America.

Ohio, in particular, has one of the largest Masonic memberships in the country, with over 60,000 Masons and 430 local Lodges.

Today, Freemasonry shares this same system of secrets, rituals, and growth, though the focus has shifted from building edifices to building oneself in good character.

The values of Freemasonry include caring for each other and communities, helping and assisting those in distress, using knowledge and understanding to improve one another, families and society.

Freemasonry in Ghana

Masonic Logis (Freemasonry) has been operating in Ghana since the 1800s, with the first Masonic Lodge opened during this period. The fraternity, with over six million members worldwide, has a significant presence in Africa.

Membership is typically gained in two ways: by invitation from a current member or by personal choice, with the approach often dependent on the location.

In Ghana, several prominent individuals, including traditional leaders, business figures, and politicians, have been associated with Freemasonry over the years.

These individuals play significant roles in shaping the country’s history and development, pointing out the fraternity’s influence in Ghana.

What the Grand Lodge of Ghana says about its history in Ghana

The origins of Freemasonry are said to date back several centuries to the 16th century guilds of medieval Europe that built cathedrals and other buildings of the time.
These skilled builders wanted to protect their valuable trade. They therefore created a system where they accepted apprentices into their working groups and trained them to eventually become Masters of their craft.

Freemasonry as it is known today began earlier than that to be able to recall specifically. However; England in the year 1717 had four Lodges came together to form the first Grand Lodge. Eventually, masonic Lodges in Ireland and Scotland also formed Grand Lodges. As Freemasonry continuously formed and spread around the world, other Grand Lodges were constituted.

Freemasonry came to Ghana in the mid-1800 with Lodges operating variously under the authority of the English, Irish and Scottish Grand Lodges. These Grand Lodges eventually formed administrative Districts and a Province in Ghana.

Freemasonry means different things to each member. Freemasonry is one of the oldest and largest fraternal organization in the world. There are about 5 million Freemasons around the world. Freemasonry is not a religion or a substitute for religion.
It is not political and being a Freemason will not give a person money, power, fame and fortune.

Freemasonry is not involved in politics, religion, and it is not a secret society.

Freemasonry promotes brotherly love, personal development, care for family and community, assistance to the less privileged. 
Over the years, many men who have marked the history of Ghana by their contributions to society have been Freemasons. They include teachers, clergymen, Traditional Rulers, public servants, traders, judges, statesmen, farmers and generally men of every walk of life.

JKB/EB

Meanwhile, watch as NDC supporters vandalise Ho Central office over government appointment