The history of Freemasonry in Ghana can be traced to the early nineteenth century when the first Masonic lodge was consecrated in the country. The practice of Freemasonry was imported to the then Gold Coast and other Commonwealth realms by European residents in the nation during the British colonial era. Most of the lodges in Ghana are governed by the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and Wales, Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Similar to their sister organisations worldwide, Ghanaian masonic fraternities are nonsectarian, with proceedings of the societies being strictly apolitical and non–religious.

Freemasonry, a global way of life, boasts over four million members worldwide, with Ghana hosting over 1000 Freemasons. The Grand Lodge of Ghana, founded in 2009 to govern itself, took over from earlier ties with British Lodges such as the Grand Lodge of Ireland,

Grand Lodge of Scotland, and United Grand Lodge of England. Freemasonry’s presence in Ghana dates back to the 1800s, with Freemasons gathering in Lodges to enhance personal growth and conduct charitable endeavors benefiting communities. These quiet acts of charity are very important to Freemasonry. They show how Freemasonry is dedicated to always getting better and helping others in society. In 2019, the Grand Lodge of Ghana acknowledged concerns about how some people wrongly linked Freemasonry with occultism and evil practices.

They explained that the main reason for being a Freemason is to help others and improve the world for everyone. The Grand Master of the group, Most Worshipful Bro Naval Captain Kwadjo Adunkwa Butan said: “We are humans just like everybody else. We do not possess special powers or have secret gods we worship; and being a Freemason does not give money, power or fame.”

Another member of the group, the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Masonic Education Committee, Right Worshipful, Abraham Gyasi added: “The misconceptions you have been hearing, they are not true, we don’t kill other people, we don’t drink blood, we are not an occult organisation but an organisation of very decent and respectable men.”

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.