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
The Volta North Regional Police Command has secured a conviction of a 27 year old man Mohammed Rafiu for making unlawful entry and stealing church musical instruments at Hohoe in the Volta Region.
On June 5, 2026 the accused was observed near the Faith International Ministry Church carrying a sack containing various items rushing to hail a car.
The witnesses suspected his action and approached to check the content in the sack. The following items were found, One (1) Amplifier, One (1) equalizer, One (1) mixer and
Cross-over Machine all belonging to the church.
The accused was arrested and brought to the Hohoe Police District where he admitted to police to the charges leveled against him.
On Monday June 8, 2026 the accused was put before the Hohoe circuit cout where he pleaded guilty on two counts and was convicted and sentenced to three (3) years for unlawful entry and four (4) years of stealing.
Both sentences are to run concurrently.
The Volta North Regional Police Command has urged the general public to immediately report any suspected criminal activities to the Police for action.
News
Dome-Kwabenya MP, Ga East MCE tour flood-prone areas in the constituency, assure victims of support
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Elikplim Akurugu, together with the Municipal Chief Executive for the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, and officials of the assembly, have toured several flood-prone communities in the constituency to identify the causes of recent flooding and inspect structures obstructing waterways.
The inspection made on the Monday, 8th June, 2026 formed part of efforts to assess the extent of the flooding, identify structures built on waterways, and develop plans for their demolition to prevent future occurrences.
Some areas visited during the tour included Christian Village, Sesemi, Abokobi Station, Falaku and the Pure Water area, all of which were affected by the recent floods that hit parts of the constituency.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, the MP expressed sadness over the destruction caused by the floods, noting that although no lives were lost, many residents had suffered significant property damage.
She attributed much of the flooding to human activities such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains and the construction of buildings on waterways and drainage channels.
The MP appealed to residents to change their attitudes towards sanitation and environmental management, stressing that the country did not have a deficit of prayers but rather an attitude deficit.
She assured residents that the assembly and its technical team would immediately begin work to address some of the drainage challenges identified during the tour.
Ms. Akurugu sympathised with residents whose homes and businesses were affected by the floods and assured them that efforts were being made to secure relief items to support them.
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Edmund Agboh, said the inspection was intended to take stock of the causes of the recent flooding, which he described as unprecedented.
According to him, the assembly wants to be proactive by identifying and addressing the factors responsible for the flooding before the next rainy season.
Mr. Agboh blamed part of the problem on the increasing number of structures being erected on waterways and drainage paths, as well as the failure of some residents to comply with building regulations.
He disclosed that many of the structures identified during the inspection would be marked for demolition after the necessary procedures had been completed.
The MCE further announced plans to intensify inspections, particularly on weekends, explaining that some developers often undertake unauthorised construction works on Saturdays and Sundays when assembly officials are not at work.
He said the assembly would collaborate with neighbouring jurisdictions and deploy additional resources to improve drainage systems and reduce flooding in the municipality.
The MCE assured that the assembly will use the findings from the inspection to implement immediate and long-term measures aimed at reducing flooding and protecting lives and property in Dome-Kwabenya.
The Director of Works at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, Engineer Justine Glover, said the team inspected several critical locations along the Dakobi River and other flood-prone areas.
He explained that at Pantang Village, officials directed contractors to excavate and open blocked culvert outlets to allow the free flow of water during rainfall.
At Sesemi, he said the team observed extensive damage caused by upstream developments and the absence of proper drainage infrastructure.
Engineer Glover added that officials recommended dredging drainage channels at Abokobi Station to improve the performance of existing culverts.
He further revealed that some structures identified on waterways at Falaku had been earmarked for demolition as part of efforts to restore the natural flow of water.
In addition to the inspection, the MP and the MCE visited residents affected by the floods in the Pure Water area to offer words of encouragement and assure them of support.
The tour also revealed that many residents had constructed buildings on waterways, while several structures lacked the required building permits, a situation officials said had contributed significantly to the flooding experienced in the constituency.
By: Jacob Aggrey
