The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called for an immediate investigation into the controversial Karnival Kingdom Festival held in Accra last month, citing concerns over public nudity and the role of state institutions in the event.
In a statement issued on Monday in Accra, and signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the Conference described scenes from the week-long festival, held from April 22 to 28, as “an eyesore” that undermined Ghanaian values and breached the country’s laws.
The Bishops expressed particular concern about reports that participants engaged in acts of public nudity under police protection, questioning the basis for such security arrangements.
“We 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 statement said.
The Conference further raised governance concerns, asking which authorities approved permits for the event and authorised police deployment, suggesting that agencies mandated to uphold public order may have instead enabled misconduct.
While commending the Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, for calling for a probe, the Bishops cautioned against political interference in any investigations and urged that due process be allowed to proceed independently.
The statement also highlighted what it described as a growing tension between globalised festival culture and Ghana’s legal and moral standards.
It stressed that cultural exchange must operate within the framework of national laws and societal values.
As part of its recommendations, the Conference called for a thorough and impartial investigation with findings made public, a review of event permitting processes to include clear decency guidelines, and a national dialogue on the acceptable limits of cultural expression in public spaces.
The Bishops further demanded an inquiry into the circumstances under which police protection was provided, describing it as a potential “serious failure of official duty” if it is established that law enforcement officers shielded acts that contravened the criminal code.
The statement referenced provisions of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which prohibit acts deemed indecent in public.
Concluding, the Conference urged authorities to enforce existing laws to safeguard public morality and maintain order.
The Karnival Kingdom Festival, which attracted large crowds and featured various forms of entertainment, has since sparked public debate over cultural expression, legality, and the responsibilities of state institutions in regulating public events.
BY GORDON WELLU
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