Grand Orange Lodge of Ghana
History of the grand orange lodge of Ghana
The first Orange Lodge of the former Gold Coast was founded on the 7th September 1918. In 1917, Mr R. E. Sharlley, who worked in the Post office at cape Coast came across a copy of the English "Orange Standard". It contained articles on the Orange Order, and this movement fascinated him. It seemed exactly what he was looking for.
He wrote to the Grand Secretary of England, Rev Louis Eward, who put him in touch with LOL 867 in Lome, Togo, which he joined. After work at Keta, in the Volta Region of the Gold Coast, he gathered a few interested friends together and they made application to the Grand Secretary in England. This resulted in warrant No. 891 being granted and Pride of Keta lodge was formed. This Lodge is still operating today as LOL 1 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ghana.
Because of economic difficulties, lack of business opportunity and communication problems both internally and with the wider Orange fraternity worldwide Orangeism did not flourish. Orangemen met in informal fellowship in the expectation that at some point there would be a revival.
In the 1950's Mr F. K. Fiawoo became deeply interested in Orangeism. he went to England, where he was initiated into the Orange order in Liverpool. After studying in America, he was ordained into the ministry of the African methodist Episcopal Zion Church. On his return to the Volta Region, and to the town of Anloga, near Keta, he founded a secondary school "Zion College of West Africa". As principal, he encouraged many of his young students to join the Orange Order. Among them was Eric Dzikuna, who later became the first Grand Master of Ghana. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Fiawoo, Orangeism was revived inn the Gold Coast. A second lodge, Ghana Elizabethan LOL 495, was formed in 1957, the year when Ghana became independent.
The wives and daughters of members were delighted to discover that there was a "ladies section" of the Orange Order. But how could this be formed in Ghana when there were no lady members to initiate them? Rev. Dr. Fiawoo went to England and with special permission became a member of a Ladies Lodge. He learned the lectures and rituals and returned to Ghana and formed a Ladies Lodge. The first orangewoman was Sister Mary Adjorlolo. In 1959 Wycliffe LLOL 160 was formed under the English jurisdiction. In the same year the first Junior Lodge "Hope of Ghana" was formed. By the end of the year there were four Oranges Lodges in Ghana, all in Keta. As a result Ghana was granted District status and became District No. 25 under the Grand Lodge of England. Ghana, Togo and Nigeria together made up the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa.
In 1963 a third male Lodge was formed in Accra, the capital city, and became known as Accra Heroes of Peace LOL 1021. It still exists today as LOL 3.
In 1965, the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa was divided into two Provincial Grand Lodges, namely Ghana and Togo (there were no longer any lodges in Nigeria).
By 1980 the Orange Order in Ghana had reached its numerical peak with over 1000 adult members in almost 30 lodges. However in 1982 all Lodges were "proscribed". The mainstream churches turned against the Institution ( as well as other fraternal organisations) branding them as satanic and occultist organisations. Membership was discouraged, parades were banned, lodges could no longer meet in church halls or school classrooms. All government employees had to declare if they were members. Several members lapsed, but the Order continued to exist "underground", and new lodges were started.
The first Orange Lodge of the former Gold Coast was founded on the 7th September 1918. In 1917, Mr R. E. Sharlley, who worked in the Post office at cape Coast came across a copy of the English "Orange Standard". It contained articles on the Orange Order, and this movement fascinated him. It seemed exactly what he was looking for.
He wrote to the Grand Secretary of England, Rev Louis Eward, who put him in touch with LOL 867 in Lome, Togo, which he joined. After work at Keta, in the Volta Region of the Gold Coast, he gathered a few interested friends together and they made application to the Grand Secretary in England. This resulted in warrant No. 891 being granted and Pride of Keta lodge was formed. This Lodge is still operating today as LOL 1 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ghana.
Because of economic difficulties, lack of business opportunity and communication problems both internally and with the wider Orange fraternity worldwide Orangeism did not flourish. Orangemen met in informal fellowship in the expectation that at some point there would be a revival.
In the 1950's Mr F. K. Fiawoo became deeply interested in Orangeism. he went to England, where he was initiated into the Orange order in Liverpool. After studying in America, he was ordained into the ministry of the African methodist Episcopal Zion Church. On his return to the Volta Region, and to the town of Anloga, near Keta, he founded a secondary school "Zion College of West Africa". As principal, he encouraged many of his young students to join the Orange Order. Among them was Eric Dzikuna, who later became the first Grand Master of Ghana. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Fiawoo, Orangeism was revived inn the Gold Coast. A second lodge, Ghana Elizabethan LOL 495, was formed in 1957, the year when Ghana became independent.
The wives and daughters of members were delighted to discover that there was a "ladies section" of the Orange Order. But how could this be formed in Ghana when there were no lady members to initiate them? Rev. Dr. Fiawoo went to England and with special permission became a member of a Ladies Lodge. He learned the lectures and rituals and returned to Ghana and formed a Ladies Lodge. The first orangewoman was Sister Mary Adjorlolo. In 1959 Wycliffe LLOL 160 was formed under the English jurisdiction. In the same year the first Junior Lodge "Hope of Ghana" was formed. By the end of the year there were four Oranges Lodges in Ghana, all in Keta. As a result Ghana was granted District status and became District No. 25 under the Grand Lodge of England. Ghana, Togo and Nigeria together made up the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa.
In 1963 a third male Lodge was formed in Accra, the capital city, and became known as Accra Heroes of Peace LOL 1021. It still exists today as LOL 3.
In 1965, the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa was divided into two Provincial Grand Lodges, namely Ghana and Togo (there were no longer any lodges in Nigeria).
By 1980 the Orange Order in Ghana had reached its numerical peak with over 1000 adult members in almost 30 lodges. However in 1982 all Lodges were "proscribed". The mainstream churches turned against the Institution ( as well as other fraternal organisations) branding them as satanic and occultist organisations. Membership was discouraged, parades were banned, lodges could no longer meet in church halls or school classrooms. All government employees had to declare if they were members. Several members lapsed, but the Order continued to exist "underground", and new lodges were started.
The first Orange Lodge of the former Gold Coast was founded on the 7th September 1918. In 1917, Mr R. E. Sharlley, who worked in the Post office at cape Coast came across a copy of the English "Orange Standard". It contained articles on the Orange Order, and this movement fascinated him. It seemed exactly what he was looking for.
He wrote to the Grand Secretary of England, Rev Louis Eward, who put him in touch with LOL 867 in Lome, Togo, which he joined. After work at Keta, in the Volta Region of the Gold Coast, he gathered a few interested friends together and they made application to the Grand Secretary in England. This resulted in warrant No. 891 being granted and Pride of Keta lodge was formed. This Lodge is still operating today as LOL 1 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ghana.
Because of economic difficulties, lack of business opportunity and communication problems both internally and with the wider Orange fraternity worldwide Orangeism did not flourish. Orangemen met in informal fellowship in the expectation that at some point there would be a revival.
In the 1950's Mr F. K. Fiawoo became deeply interested in Orangeism. he went to England, where he was initiated into the Orange order in Liverpool. After studying in America, he was ordained into the ministry of the African methodist Episcopal Zion Church. On his return to the Volta Region, and to the town of Anloga, near Keta, he founded a secondary school "Zion College of West Africa". As principal, he encouraged many of his young students to join the Orange Order. Among them was Eric Dzikuna, who later became the first Grand Master of Ghana. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Fiawoo, Orangeism was revived inn the Gold Coast. A second lodge, Ghana Elizabethan LOL 495, was formed in 1957, the year when Ghana became independent.
The wives and daughters of members were delighted to discover that there was a "ladies section" of the Orange Order. But how could this be formed in Ghana when there were no lady members to initiate them? Rev. Dr. Fiawoo went to England and with special permission became a member of a Ladies Lodge. He learned the lectures and rituals and returned to Ghana and formed a Ladies Lodge. The first orangewoman was Sister Mary Adjorlolo. In 1959 Wycliffe LLOL 160 was formed under the English jurisdiction. In the same year the first Junior Lodge "Hope of Ghana" was formed. By the end of the year there were four Oranges Lodges in Ghana, all in Keta. As a result Ghana was granted District status and became District No. 25 under the Grand Lodge of England. Ghana, Togo and Nigeria together made up the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa. In 1963 a third male Lodge was formed in Accra, the capital city, and became known as Accra Heroes of Peace LOL 1021. It still exists today as LOL 3. In 1965, the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa was divided into two Provincial Grand Lodges, namely Ghana and Togo (there were no longer any lodges in Nigeria).By 1980 the Orange Order in Ghana had reached its numerical peak with over 1000 adult members in almost 30 lodges. However in 1982 all Lodges were "proscribed". The mainstream churches turned against the Institution ( as well as other fraternal organisations) branding them as satanic and occultist organisations. Membership was discouraged, parades were banned, lodges could no longer meet in church halls or school classrooms. All government employees had to declare if they were members. Several members lapsed, but the Order continued to exist "underground", and new lodges were started.The first Orange Lodge of the former Gold Coast was founded on the 7th September 1918. In 1917, Mr R. E. Sharlley, who worked in the Post office at cape Coast came across a copy of the English "Orange Standard". It contained articles on the Orange Order, and this movement fascinated him. It seemed exactly what he was looking for.He wrote to the Grand Secretary of England, Rev Louis Eward, who put him in touch with LOL 867 in Lome, Togo, which he joined. After work at Keta, in the Volta Region of the Gold Coast, he gathered a few interested friends together and they made application to the Grand Secretary in England. This resulted in warrant No. 891 being granted and Pride of Keta lodge was formed. This Lodge is still operating today as LOL 1 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ghana. Because of economic difficulties, lack of business opportunity and communication problems both internally and with the wider Orange fraternity worldwide Orangeism did not flourish. Orangemen met in informal fellowship in the expectation that at some point there would be a revival. In the 1950's Mr F. K. Fiawoo became deeply interested in Orangeism. he went to England, where he was initiated into the Orange order in Liverpool. After studying in America, he was ordained into the ministry of the African methodist Episcopal Zion Church. On his return to the Volta Region, and to the town of Anloga, near Keta, he founded a secondary school "Zion College of West Africa". As principal, he encouraged many of his young students to join the Orange Order. Among them was Eric Dzikuna, who later became the first Grand Master of Ghana. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Fiawoo, Orangeism was revived inn the Gold Coast. A second lodge, Ghana Elizabethan LOL 495, was formed in 1957, the year when Ghana became independent. The wives and daughters of members were delighted to discover that there was a "ladies section" of the Orange Order. But how could this be formed in Ghana when there were no lady members to initiate them? Rev. Dr. Fiawoo went to England and with special permission became a member of a Ladies Lodge. He learned the lectures and rituals and returned to Ghana and formed a Ladies Lodge. The first orangewoman was Sister Mary Adjorlolo. In 1959 Wycliffe LLOL 160 was formed under the English jurisdiction. In the same year the first Junior Lodge "Hope of Ghana" was formed. By the end of the year there were four Oranges Lodges in Ghana, all in Keta. As a result Ghana was granted District status and became District No. 25 under the Grand Lodge of England. Ghana, Togo and Nigeria together made up the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa. In 1963 a third male Lodge was formed in Accra, the capital city, and became known as Accra Heroes of Peace LOL 1021. It still exists today as LOL 3. In 1965, the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa was divided into two Provincial Grand Lodges, namely Ghana and Togo (there were no longer any lodges in Nigeria).By 1980 the Orange Order in Ghana had reached its numerical peak with over 1000 adult members in almost 30 lodges. However in 1982 all Lodges were "proscribed". The mainstream churches turned against the Institution ( as well as other fraternal organisations) branding them as satanic and occultist organisations. Membership was discouraged, parades were banned, lodges could no longer meet in church halls or school classrooms. All government employees had to declare if they were members. Several members lapsed, but the Order continued to exist "underground", and new lodges were started.
The first Orange Lodge of the former Gold Coast was founded on the 7th September 1918. In 1917, Mr R. E. Sharlley, who worked in the Post office at cape Coast came across a copy of the English "Orange Standard". It contained articles on the Orange Order, and this movement fascinated him. It seemed exactly what he was looking for. He wrote to the Grand Secretary of England, Rev Louis Eward, who put him in touch with LOL 867 in Lome, Togo, which he joined. After work at Keta, in the Volta Region of the Gold Coast, he gathered a few interested friends together and they made application to the Grand Secretary in England. This resulted in warrant No. 891 being granted and Pride of Keta lodge was formed. This Lodge is still operating today as LOL 1 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ghana. Because of economic difficulties, lack of business opportunity and communication problems both internally and with the wider Orange fraternity worldwide Orangeism did not flourish. Orangemen met in informal fellowship in the expectation that at some point there would be a revival. In the 1950's Mr F. K. Fiawoo became deeply interested in Orangeism. he went to England, where he was initiated into the Orange order in Liverpool. After studying in America, he was ordained into the ministry of the African methodist Episcopal Zion Church. On his return to the Volta Region, and to the town of Anloga, near Keta, he founded a secondary school "Zion College of West Africa". As principal, he encouraged many of his young students to join the Orange Order. Among them was Eric Dzikuna, who later became the first Grand Master of Ghana. Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Fiawoo, Orangeism was revived inn the Gold Coast. A second lodge, Ghana Elizabethan LOL 495, was formed in 1957, the year when Ghana became independent. The wives and daughters of members were delighted to discover that there was a "ladies section" of the Orange Order. But how could this be formed in Ghana when there were no lady members to initiate them? Rev. Dr. Fiawoo went to England and with special permission became a member of a Ladies Lodge. He learned the lectures and rituals and returned to Ghana and formed a Ladies Lodge. The first orangewoman was Sister Mary Adjorlolo. In 1959 Wycliffe LLOL 160 was formed under the English jurisdiction. In the same year the first Junior Lodge "Hope of Ghana" was formed. By the end of the year there were four Oranges Lodges in Ghana, all in Keta. As a result Ghana was granted District status and became District No. 25 under the Grand Lodge of England. Ghana, Togo and Nigeria together made up the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa.In 1963 a third male Lodge was formed in Accra, the capital city, and became known as Accra Heroes of Peace LOL 1021. It still exists today as LOL 3. In 1965, the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Africa was divided into two Provincial Grand Lodges, namely Ghana and Togo (there were no longer any lodges in Nigeria).By 1980 the Orange Order in Ghana had reached its numerical peak with over 1000 adult members in almost 30 lodges. However in 1982 all Lodges were "proscribed". The mainstream churches turned against the Institution ( as well as other fraternal organisations) branding them as satanic and occultist organisations. Membership was discouraged, parades were banned, lodges could no longer meet in church halls or school classrooms. All government employees had to declare if they were members. Several members lapsed, but the Order continued to exist "underground", and new lodges were started.