Catholic Bishops demand probe into Karnival Kingdom Festival

The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has called for an immediate investigation into the recent Karnival Kingdom Festival, condemning acts of public nudity witnessed during the event.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, on Facebook, and signed by the President, Most Rev Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Conference described the incident, which took place from April 22 to 28, 2026, as an affront to Ghanaian values and a breach of the country’s laws.

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The bishops expressed concern that participants involved in the event reportedly received police protection.

“The event was an eyesore, denigrated our values as a nation and breached the laws of our land,” the statement said, citing Section 278 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The Conference questioned the role of state institutions in the organisation of the festival and called for a full probe into the circumstances surrounding it.

It also raised concerns about what it described as the growing importation of foreign cultural practices that conflict with Ghana’s legal and moral standards.

“We, Pastors of our Land, unequivocally condemn the act of public nudity and call for immediate investigation into the role of State Institutions, and the importation of foreign cultural practices,” the bishops stated.

The Conference further questioned the presence of police officers at the event and asked who authorised security protection for participants.

“Who approved the permits and the deployment of police to protect participants engaged in public nudity?” the statement asked.

It said the presence of police raises serious concerns about official oversight and whether state agencies tasked with maintaining public order may have failed in their duty.

“The Conference is deeply concerned that state agencies responsible for protecting public order may have facilitated rather than prevented this misconduct,” it added.

The bishops also backed calls by the Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, for investigations into the matter.

On the broader issue of cultural practices, the Conference said foreign events cannot override Ghana’s laws and social values.

“An imported event cannot claim exemption from Ghanaian law. Cultural exchange must respect the host nation's laws and values,” the statement stressed.

The Conference urged all stakeholders to allow any investigations to proceed without political interference.

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It further recommended an impartial investigation with public findings, a review of event permitting processes, an inquiry into the police deployment, and a national discussion on acceptable cultural expression in public spaces.

“Provision of police protection for acts that breach the criminal code represents a serious failure of official duty. Enforcement of laws is urgently needed,” the statement added.

MAG/VPO

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