News
It’s an eyesore! …Catholic Bishops slam Karnival Kingdom Festival
What was supposed to give another dimension to Ghana’s growing creative industry has ignited the anger of a section of the clergy.
Championing the call for an investigation into how ‘law breakers’ enjoyed police protection is the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) who described the maiden ‘Karnival Kingdom Festival’ on April 22-28, 2026 as an ‘eyesore’.
In the view of the conference, the provision of police protection for acts that breached the criminal code represents a serious failure of official duty.
The event turned parts of the city of Accra into an ultimate ‘Soca paradise,’ as carnival enthusiasts from around the world joined Ghanaians for an unforgettable fusion of lively music, epicparties, and deep cultural connection.
Organisers of the event described the Karnival Kingdom Festival as “not just another destination event; but a bold new premium experience that redefines what it means to celebrate. At its core, it’s about reconnecting with the motherland, bringing carnival culture back to the place where its spirit was born. From the rhythmic heartbeat of the drums to the colours of mothers, this is a return to source, a celebration of heritage, and a unifying call to joy.”
But in the eyes of the Bishops, what was seen and paraded on the streets was ‘sacrilege’, “denigrating our values as a nation and breached the laws of our land (CF section 278 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, Act 29).”
In response, its widely publicised statement took note of the public nudity at the festival during which participants received police protection.
The statement signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Conference demanded for investigation and unequivocally condemn the act of public nudity.
“We 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.”
It said the event reflects a clash between globalised festival culture and Ghana’s established legal standards, adding that, “An imported event cannot claim exemption from Ghanaian law. Cultural exchange must respect the host nation’s laws and values.”
Raising issues about governance, the Bishops questioned which agencies issued permits and the deployment of police to protect participants engaged in public nudity and wondered why state agencies responsible for protecting public order may have facilitated rather than prevented the misconduct.
The Conference urges all parties to allow the investigative process to proceed without undue political pressure.
As a result, it recommended a thorough impartial investigation with public findings; review of permit processes with clear decency guidelines; an inquiry into why police protection was provided; and a national dialogue on limits of cultural expression in public spaces.
The conference also commended the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Mr John Ntim Fordjour, for his call in this direction.
By Andrew Nortey
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has expressed sorrow over the death of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in a road accident in the Upper West Region.
The deceased are Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, both students at Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School.
“Management of the Ghana Education Service has received with profound sorrow the tragic news of the untimely demise of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, students of Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School in the Upper West Region,” a statement issued by Mr Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations, GES, said.
It said preliminary reports indicated that the students died in a road traffic accident on Sunday, May 3, while travelling to Wa ahead of the commencement of the examination.
“We are deeply saddened that these young lives, full of promise and potential, have been cut short under such distressing circumstances.
“Management and staff of GES, and the entire education community, extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the school, their classmates, and all who have been affected by this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
The statement said Management of the GES would continue to liaise with the appropriate authorities to ascertain full details of the incident and consider measures to prevent similar occurrences. –GNA
