We were not aware of Karnival Kingdom Festival — Tourism Ministry

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts says it was not informed about the recently held Karnival Kingdom Festival in Accra.

The five-day Caribbean-African cultural event, which took place from April 22 to 28, featured soca music, carnival displays, street processions and themed parties, attracting widespread attention on social media and among the public.

The event has since sparked controversy, with the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference calling for investigations into alleged public nudity and possible breaches of Ghanaian laws.

The Bishops Conference also expressed concern about what it described as the cultural and moral implications of the festival and urged state institutions to take action.

In a statement issued on Thursday, May 7, and signed by the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the ministry distanced itself from the organisation of the event.

“The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts (MoTCCA) wishes to state unequivocally that it did not receive any correspondence, proposal, request for approval, or official communication regarding the organisation of the Karnival Kingdom Festival held in Accra recently,” portions of the statement read.

The ministry further stressed that it neither approved nor authorised the event.

“The Ministry further clarifies that it neither endorsed, sanctioned, nor authorised the staging of the event and therefore is unaware of the processes through which the said festival was purportedly approved to take place in Ghana,” the statement added.

According to the ministry, the clarification follows public concerns and discussions over some materials from the event circulated on social media which many considered culturally unacceptable.

The ministry acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders and sections of the public regarding the conduct of the festival.

It also reiterated the need for organisers of tourism, cultural and entertainment events to engage the appropriate state institutions and obtain the necessary regulatory approvals before staging such activities.