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.

History

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. Membership is open to all irrespective of ethnicity or social background. The oldest grand lodges were consecrated in  England ,  Ireland ,  France , the  United States and  Scotland (1736). Membership is either by invitation only or free–will depending on the geographic region.

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. The craft of Freemasonry is found in the  Holy Books ( Bible,  Torah,  Vedas,  Quran), the old charges or old manuscripts and old lodge charters dating to circa 1390, and in Masonic books. In  Europe and  Ottoman territories, each country formed its own Masonic Speculative Lodges and Grand Orient Lodges.There have been records of ancient lodges in  Beirut,  Damascus and  Tripoli.

Principles

Members are taught the principles of fellowship and friendships with emphasis on education, personal integrity, personal responsibility, character, morality, ethics, philanthropy and social/charitable contributions. Historically, the core principles of Ghanaian Freemasonry included brotherly love, relief and truth. Masonic meetings forbid political discussions. While its laws are made public, the internal affairs of Ghanaian Freemasonry are considered private.