The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has issued a formal statement unequivocally condemning the recent Karnival Kingdom Festival, citing “public nudity” and a “serious failure of official duty” in the state’s protection of the event.
The statement, signed by the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, follows the festival held from April 22–28, 2026.
The Bishops described the festival as an “eyesore” that denigrated national values and breached Section 278 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The Conference expressed particular alarm that participants engaged in public nudity while receiving protection from the Ghana Police Service.
“The presence of police protection for participants raises serious questions about official oversight,” the statement noted.
The GCBC outlined several critical points regarding the event’s impact on Ghanaian society.
Investigation into State Institutions: The Conference is calling for an immediate probe into how state agencies permitted the event and why police were deployed to facilitate misconduct.
Cultural Discernment: The Bishops argued that imported “globalised festival culture” cannot claim exemption from Ghanaian law. They emphasised that cultural exchange must respect the host nation’s legal standards.
Support for Legislative Action: The Conference commended Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South, for his public call to investigate the matter.
Non-Interference: They urged all parties to ensure the investigative process remains free from “undue political pressure”.
To prevent future occurrences, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference recommended the following actions:
- A thorough, impartial investigation with public findings.
- A review of permitting processes to include clear decency guidelines.
- An inquiry into the specific deployment of police protection for the event.
- A national dialogue regarding the limits of cultural expression in public spaces.
The statement concluded by stressing that the enforcement of laws is urgently needed to protect the public order.
