The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for a full-scale investigation into the Karnival Kingdom Festival held from 22–28 April 2026, expressing strong concern over incidents of alleged public nudity and the role of state security agencies in the event.
In a statement issued by the National Catholic Secretariat, the Conference said it had “taken note of the public nudity at the Karnival Kingdom Festival (22-28 April 2026), during which participants received police protection,” describing the development as deeply troubling and contrary to Ghanaian law.
According to the Bishops, the event “was an eyesore, denigrated our values as a nation and breached the laws of our land (cf section 278 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29).” They further stressed that such occurrences undermine the moral and legal framework of the country and should not be tolerated under any circumstances.
A major point of concern raised in the statement is the reported presence of police officers providing protection during the festival activities. The Conference questioned the basis on which such security arrangements were made and called for urgent clarification from relevant state institutions.
“The Demand for Investigation. 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 presence of police protection for participants raises serious questions about official oversight,” the statement read.
The Bishops also commended Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, for publicly calling for accountability on the matter, saying his intervention aligns with the concerns being raised by the Church leadership.
The Conference further warned that the incident reflects growing tensions between globalised festival culture and Ghana’s traditional legal and moral standards. It argued that cultural exchange must always operate within the host country’s laws.
“Cultural Tension Requires Discernment. The event reflects a clash between globalised festival culture and Ghana’s established legal standards. An imported event cannot claim exemption from Ghanaian law. Cultural exchange must respect the host nation’s laws and values,” the statement emphasised.
Beyond cultural concerns, the Bishops also raised governance-related questions, particularly regarding permits and security deployment. They called for accountability from state agencies responsible for approving and supervising such public events.
“Governance Questions Are Serious. Who approved the permits and the deployment of police to protect participants engaged in public nudity? 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 urged all stakeholders to allow investigations to proceed without political interference. They emphasised the importance of transparency and fairness in addressing the matter.
“No Political Interference In Investigation.” The Conference urges all parties to allow the investigative process to proceed without undue political pressure,” it stated.
Among its key recommendations, the Conference called for an impartial investigation with publicly released findings, a review of event permitting procedures with clear decency guidelines, and a formal inquiry into the role of the police in providing protection during the festival. It also proposed a broader national dialogue on the limits of cultural expression in public spaces.
In conclusion, the Bishops warned that any situation in which law enforcement appears to protect acts deemed unlawful represents a serious breakdown in governance and enforcement.
“Provision of police protection for acts that breach the criminal code represents a serious failure of official duty. Enforcement of laws are urgently needed,” the statement concluded.
The statement was signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
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