
VIDEO: When two Freemasons met during vetting in Ghana's Parliament
A unique moment of camaraderie unfolded in Parliament on 22 January 2025 during the vetting of George Opare Addo, Minister-designate for Youth Development and Empowerment.
In an exchange, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin openly recognised Opare Addo as a fellow Freemason, sparking interest in the fraternal organisation's influence among public figures in Ghana. Interestingly, Opare Addo and Afenyo-Markin are on opposite sides of the political divide with the former being a member of the governing National Democratic Congress and the latter a member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
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The exchange began when Afenyo-Markin posed a direct question to the nominee:
Afenyo-Markin: “Are you a Freemason?”
Opare Addo: “Yes, I’m a Mason.”
What followed was a series of symbolic Masonic questions and responses, offering a glimpse into the rituals and values of the centuries-old fraternity.
Afenyo-Markin: “Who is your mother?”
Opare Addo: “Amity.”
Afenyo-Markin: “In all difficulties and dangers, in whom do you place your trust?”
Opare Addo: “The Grand Architect of the Universe.”
These responses, steeped in Masonic tradition, shed light on key principles of the brotherhood. "Amity" is the Lodge (branch of Freemasonry) Opare Addo belongs to. Meanwhile, the "Grand Architect of the Universe" represents a Supreme Being, affirming the fraternity's foundation in faith and spirituality.
Freemasonry and Public Life
Freemasonry, a fraternal organisation with deep roots in history, focuses on personal development, moral integrity, and brotherly love. The exchange between the two politicians reflected the values of mutual respect and solidarity central to the organisation.
This isn’t the first time Afenyo-Markin, MP for Effutu, has spoken about his Masonic affiliations. In 2016, he revealed on the Starr Chat show that Freemasonry’s teachings align 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.
However, his position has faced pushback from some Catholic leaders, who argue that membership in Freemasonry is incompatible with Catholic teachings.
Addressing Ghana’s youth
Shifting the focus back to his ministerial responsibilities, Opare Addo assured Parliament of his commitment to inclusivity and effective leadership for Ghanaian youth.
“The day His Excellency nominated me, I urged every Ghanaian youth to believe in the kind of leadership I bring on board. I am not going to be discriminatory. I’m here to serve the Ghanaian youth and no other person,” he declared.
This new ministry, created to address youth development and empowerment, comes with high expectations from a population eager for opportunities and progress.
What this exchange means
The Masonic greeting exchanged between Afenyo-Markin and Opare Addo provided a rare public insight into the bonds shared by members of the fraternity. For Freemasons, such interactions reaffirm principles of trust, humility, and service, values that resonate not just within their lodges but also in their public and professional lives.
While Freemasonry’s presence among Ghanaian leaders is often a subject of intrigue, speculation and debate, the organisation’s values of personal development, ethical conduct, and communal support are qualities that its members bring into their roles as public servants.
This encounter in Parliament underscores the enduring influence of Freemasonry in Ghana’s socio-political landscape and serves as a reminder of the shared values that bind leaders together in their service to the nation.
Prominent Freemasons in Ghana include: former President John Agyekum Kufuor; the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II; and the former National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah.
Freemasonry is about philanthropy not human sacrifices - Ghana Lodge
In 2019, the Grand Lodge of Ghana refuted claims and perceptions that Freemasonry is a secret society engaged in human and other sacrifices for wealth and power.
According to the mother body of the Scottish Order of Freemasons in Ghana, the group has unfortunately become synonymous with occultism and evil practices of idol worship because of the activities of unscrupulous persons who would do anything for fame and wealth.
However, the Grand Master of the group at the time, Most Worshipful Bro Naval Captain Kwadjo Adunkwa Butan, insists that the primary purpose of being a Freemason is to serve and to make the world a better place for humanity.
"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," he said on Thursday at the launch of the group’s 10th anniversary at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
Another member of the group, the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Masonic Education Committee, Right Worshipful, Abraham Gyasi in an interview added that the group was rather into philanthropy.
"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," Right Worshipful Gyasi told the GraphicOnline in an interview on Thursday.