Alexander Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader, Reads from the Freemasons' Book

Following his quotation from a Freemasons document at the Induction and Orientation Programme for Members of the Ninth Parliament (Cohort 1) on Saturday, January 11, 2025, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader of Parliament, has sparked intense debate. In order to train new and returning Members of Parliament for successful governance, the event took an intriguing turn when the Minority Leader emphasized equality, humility, and unity by including Freemasonry values.

"We have all sprung from the same stock, partakers of the same nature, and sharers in the same hope," Afenyo-Markin said, quoting the second-degree working tools of the Freemasons. Furthermore, even while differences between males are essential to maintaining subordination, no circumstance should ever make you feel better than another. "As the time will come, the wisest of men knows not how soon, when all distinctions, save those of goodness and virtue, shall cease and death, the grand leveler of all human greatness, shall reduce us to the same state," he added, emphasizing the fleeting nature of power and the ultimate equality of all humans in death. Even though his address was well received at the ceremony, social media was ablaze with conflicting responses. A segment

Comparing the absence of criticism directed at NPP member Afenyo-Markin to the outrage Otumfuo Osei Tutu II received when he praised Freemasonry, some accused the public of acting unfairly. Since he is an NPP member, no one is talking about it, yet we were scolding Otumfuo harshly when he recognized Freemasonry, a user said. An further user said, "Radio stations in the Ashanti region would have been on fire Monday morning if an NDC MP had quoted from that Freemasons' book." Some commended the quote's wisdom despite the critiques. As one user put it, "I don't like Freemasonry, but you have to admit that was some great piece of wise words." Given that many people in Ghana associate Freemasonry with secrecy and controversy, the episode highlights how sensitive the organization is there.