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