Why my mother stopped me from joining Freemason-Okyeame Kwame

During a recent conversation with Blakk Rasta on 3FM, Ghanaian rapper Okyeame Kwame opened up about the profound influence his mother has had on his decisions, both personal and professional.

“I owe everything to her,” Okyeame Kwame said with a reflective smile. “She’s been my guiding light, always steering me away from paths she believes could harm me.”

One of the most striking revelations from their chat was how he once declined the prestigious title of Nkosuohene (Developmental Chief) offered to him by a close friend who holds a chieftaincy position in Adum.

For many, such an honour would have been a no-brainer, a chance to cement one’s legacy. But for Okyeame, the decision wasn’t his alone to make.

“I had to ask my mother first,” he explained. “When I told her about it, she didn’t hesitate. She said, ‘Kwame, chieftaincy is a responsibility that comes with dangers you might not foresee. I don’t want you caught up in that world.’ Her words stayed with me, and I turned it down.”

His mother’s wisdom didn’t just stop there. Okyeame Kwame also disclosed how she intervened when he considered joining the Freemasons, a globally recognized fraternal organization that has intrigued many over the centuries.

“I was drawn to the principles they stood for,” he admitted, “but when I brought it up to my mother, she was adamant. She told me, ‘Freemasonry is dangerous. You could be putting your life at risk if you join.’ That was enough for me to reconsider.”

Freemasonry, the world’s oldest fraternity, traces its roots to medieval stonemason guilds. Known for its emphasis on brotherhood, charity, and personal development, the organization has also been the subject of numerous misconceptions and myths, particularly in African societies where it’s often viewed with suspicion.

For Okyeame Kwame, however, his mother’s perspective mattered more than his curiosity. “She’s seen more of life than I have,” he remarked.

“Why wouldn’t I listen to her? Her intuition has saved me from situations I might have regretted.”