The history of Freemasonry in Ghana can be traced to the early nineteenth century when the first Masonic lodge was consecrated in the country.
[1][2][3][4] 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.
[2][6][7] Similar to their sister organisations worldwide, Ghanaian masonic fraternities are nonsectarian, with proceedings of the societies being strictly apolitical and non–religious.
[8] Like other lodges in the six million–member global fraternity, Ghanaian Freemasons are expected to believe in the immortality of the soul and in a Creator or a Supreme Being, sometimes referred to as the Grand Architect of the Universe.
The oldest grand lodges were consecrated in England (1717), Ireland (1725), France (1728), the United States (1730) and Scotland (1736).
The inspiration for freemasonry is connected to the ancient days of the biblical Solomonic Temple, 4000 years ago, through to the craft of stonemasonry in the Middle Ages.
[11] Historically, the core principles of Ghanaian Freemasonry included brotherly love, relief and truth.
While its laws are made public, the internal affairs of Ghanaian Freemasonry are considered private.
[1][2] The District Grand Lodge of the Gold Coast under the English Constitution was inaugurated in Accra on 9 May 1931.
[1][2] The Ghanaian quantity surveyor, politician and a Freemason, Harry Sawyerr delivered a speech at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Lodge St. Andrew No.
1299 Scottish Constitution, outlining how recognition for the United Grand Lodge of Ghana could be achieved.
[1][2] Fundraising activities for the formation of the Grand Lodge were also developed and periodic progress reports issued to the aspiring members.
[25] The fourth edition of the 1992 Prince Hall Masonic Directory lists 500 members from the 19 lodges before the conflict.
Like its Ghanaian counterpart, the District Grand Lodge of Nigeria, English Constitution, declined to join the new partnership.