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 reported incidents of public nudity and the involvement of state security agencies.

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 inconsistent with 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 stressed that such conduct undermines both the moral and legal foundations of the country and must not be overlooked.

A key concern raised in the statement is the reported deployment of police officers to provide security during the festival. The Conference questioned the basis for such arrangements and called for urgent clarification from the 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 demanding accountability, saying his intervention reflects concerns shared by the Church leadership.

The Conference further warned that the incident highlights growing tensions between globalised festival culture and Ghana’s traditional moral and legal standards, insisting that cultural exchange must always comply with local 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 issues, the Bishops also raised governance concerns, particularly regarding event permits and security deployment, calling for accountability from state agencies responsible for regulating 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.

They urged all parties to allow investigations to proceed without political interference, stressing the need for transparency and fairness.

“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 recommendations, the Conference called for an impartial investigation with publicly released findings, a review of permitting procedures with clear decency standards, and a formal inquiry into the role of police during the festival. It also proposed a broader national dialogue on the boundaries of cultural expression in public spaces.

In conclusion, the Bishops warned that any situation where law enforcement appears to protect unlawful conduct 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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