Catholic Bishops Condemn Karnival Kingdom Festival Over Alleged Public Nudity, Demand Probe
Catholic Bishops condemn alleged public nudity at Karnival Kingdom Festival, call for probe into police involvement and event approval process
- Catholic Bishops condemn alleged public nudity at Karnival Kingdom Festival
- Call for investigation into police involvement and event approvals
- Stress breach of Ghanaian law and cultural values
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has strongly condemned scenes of alleged public nudity at the Karnival Kingdom Festival held from April 22 to 28, 2026, describing the incident as offensive, unlawful, and contrary to Ghanaian cultural values.
In a statement, the Bishops also raised concerns about the reported involvement of police officers who provided security protection during the event.
“The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has taken note of the public nudity at the Karnival Kingdom Festival (22–28 April 2026), during which participants received police protection. The event was an eyesore, denigrated our values as a nation and breached the laws of our land,” the statement said, referencing Section 278 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The Conference called for an immediate investigation into the incident, including the role of state institutions and the approval processes that allowed the event to proceed.
“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,” it stated.
The Bishops further questioned why police officers were deployed to protect participants allegedly engaged in conduct that breaches Ghanaian law, describing the situation as deeply troubling.
They also commended Assin South MP John Ntim Fordjour for raising concerns about the incident.
According to the Conference, the festival highlights growing tensions between global cultural influences and Ghana’s legal and moral framework, stressing that no imported cultural event is exempt from national laws.
“An imported event cannot claim exemption from Ghanaian law. Cultural exchange must respect the host nation’s laws and values,” the statement noted.
The Bishops further called for a transparent inquiry into permit approvals, police involvement, and the broader regulatory oversight of public events.
They recommended a thorough investigation with public disclosure of findings, a review of permitting procedures, and a national dialogue on the limits of cultural expression in public spaces.
“Provision of police protection for acts that breach the criminal code represents a serious failure of official duty,” the statement warned.
The Conference urged authorities to ensure strict enforcement of laws and prevent similar incidents in the future.
