The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has distanced itself from the recently staged Karnival Kingdom Festival in Accra, stating it had no knowledge of or involvement in the event.
In an official statement released on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the Ministry said it had not received any formal request, proposal, or communication regarding the planning or execution of the festival, which ran from April 22 to 28.
According to the statement, signed by the sector minister, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Ministry neither approved nor endorsed the event and remains unaware of how it was authorised to take place.
The clarification comes amid growing public debate and criticism, particularly over controversial content from the festival that has been widely shared on social media. The Ministry acknowledged these concerns and reiterated that all public events within the tourism and creative arts sector must follow established regulatory procedures.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has strongly condemned aspects of the festival, especially what it described as “public nudity.” In a separate statement, the bishops argued that such conduct violates Section 278 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The statement, signed by Conference President Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, called for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event, including the involvement of state institutions and the influence of foreign cultural elements.
The bishops also raised concerns about reports that participants were provided police protection, questioning whether authorities may have failed in their duty to uphold public order. They described this as a troubling sign of possible lapses in oversight.
Calling for transparency, the Conference urged authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry, publish the findings, and review the processes used to grant permits for such events. It also advocated for clear guidelines on public decency and a broader national discussion on cultural expression.
Additionally, the bishops questioned who authorised both the event and the deployment of security personnel, warning that any support for activities deemed unlawful could represent a serious breach of responsibility.
They further backed calls for accountability made by John Ntim Fordjour, encouraging that investigations proceed without political interference.
The Conference stressed that while cultural exchange is valuable, it must align with Ghana’s legal framework and societal values. It warned against adopting foreign festival practices that conflict with local norms.
For its part, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promoting tourism and cultural initiatives that respect Ghanaian laws, preserve national identity, and maintain public decency.
