The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has condemned instances of public nudity at the recently concluded Karnival Kingdom Festival, describing the event as an “eyesore” that denigrated national values and breached Ghanaian law.
In a statement issued on Monday, May 4, 2026, and signed by the President of the Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani, the bishops expressed deep concern over the festival held from April 22 to 28, 2026, in Accra.
The event, which featured Caribbean carnival elements including street parades, music, and cultural performances, drew widespread criticism after videos of participants in revealing attire circulated on social media.
The bishops specifically highlighted the provision of police protection to participants, questioning the role of state institutions in what they termed a clear violation of Section 278 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which addresses indecent exposure.
GCBC called for an immediate investigation into the role of state institutions and the importation of foreign cultural practices. They expressed serious questions about the official oversight that allowed police protection for participants engaged in public nudity. The Conference commended the Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, for his earlier call for such an investigation.
The bishops noted that the event reflects a clash between globalised festival culture and Ghana’s established legal standards. They stressed that an imported event cannot claim exemption from Ghanaian law and that cultural exchange must respect the host nation’s laws and values.
The statement raised serious governance questions, particularly about who approved the permits and the deployment of police to protect participants. The Conference expressed deep concern that state agencies responsible for protecting public order may have facilitated rather than prevented the misconduct.
The GCBC urged all parties to allow the investigative process to proceed without undue political pressure. Among its recommendations, the Conference called for a thorough impartial investigation with public findings, a review of permitting processes with clear decency guidelines, an inquiry into why police protection was provided, and a national dialogue on the limits of cultural expression in public spaces.
The Karnival Kingdom Festival was promoted as the first major Accra Carnival, featuring soca artists, themed parties, and a fusion of Caribbean and Ghanaian elements. Organisers positioned it as a vibrant cultural exchange, but has generated widespread public debate on morality, tourism, and the boundaries of imported entertainment in Ghana.
