Catholic Bishops Conference calls for probe into 'public nudity' at Karnival Kingdom Festival

The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has called for an investigation into alleged public nudity at the Karnival Kingdom Festival held in Accra.

The festival, a five-day Caribbean-African cultural event, took place from April 22 to 28, and featured activities including soca music, carnival displays and themed parties.

In the statement dated May 4 and signed by Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Conference questioned the approval processes behind the event and the deployment of police officers.

The Bishops observed that aspects of the event breached Ghana’s laws and offended national values, raising concerns about the role of state institutions.

“The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has taken note of the public nudity at the Karnival Kingdom Festival (22-28 April 2026), during which participants received police protection. 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),” the statement read in part.

It also referenced concerns about the importation of foreign cultural practices without regard for local legal and moral standards.

“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 Bishops stated.

They stressed that cultural exchange must align with Ghana’s laws.

The Conference is also demanding a review of event permitting processes, clearer public decency guidelines and a national dialogue on acceptable cultural expression in public spaces.