“Why should you dress in a suit, especially a Freemason suit? It is no joke that you are the king of the Ashanti country. The Freemason is a powerful old spirit. Do we understand what it means to say you’d dress in a Freemason suit? I think that is a disgrace. Blakk Rasta, a Pan-Africanist and lover of our great ancestors’ culture, expressed his displeasure on 3FM’s UrbanBlend show.
He went on, “I believe Asante people should begin conversing with Otumfuo about this. I wouldn’t even mind if you were wearing your Kente and sitting in your palanquin. Allow the other Freemasons to wear their Freemason regalia.”
Blakk Rasta’s statements came after Asantehene revealed that he had been a Freemason for 25 years, which coincided with his term on the Golden Stool. On May 25, 2024, Freemasons from Ghana, West Africa, and elsewhere gathered to commemorate Otumfuo’s 25th anniversary as Asantehene.
The meeting was a tribute to the monarch, known in the Grand Lodge as Most Worshipful Bro Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who was celebrating his 25th anniversary as an Asantehene and a Freemason.
During his lecture, Otumfuo, the Grand Patron of the Grand Lodge of Ghana, reflected on his involvement in Freemasonry. “I was initiated into Freemasonry 25 years ago. Joining any society or club naturally causes one to consider the potential benefits or drawbacks,” he explained.
Despite these concerns, advocates maintain that Freemasonry encourages human growth, ethical behaviour, and charity activities.
Blakk Rasta’s statements contribute to an ongoing internet debate about the acceptability of traditional leaders wearing non-traditional garb, as well as the broader ramifications of their membership in organisations such as Freemasonry.
