The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that a proposed policy requiring users to present a National Identity Card or Driver’s Licence before accessing pornographic websites will be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.
The initiative, according to the Minister, is aimed at strengthening child protection measures online by restricting minors from accessing sexually explicit content and promoting safer internet use across the country.
Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Values and Sovereignty, Sam George indicated that government is exploring regulatory interventions to address concerns over children’s exposure to adult content on the internet.
He pointed to existing international practices, noting that the United Kingdom has implemented age-verification systems for adult websites, which Ghana could draw lessons from in shaping its own framework.
“It is important that we understand the danger that we face with pornography. We don’t need to rewrite the script. Today, in the United Kingdom, for you to access a pornographic website, you need to provide your driver’s licence so they can determine that you are 18 years old,” he said.
The Minister argued that such safeguards have become increasingly necessary due to the growing influence of online sexual content and its potential impact on young people.
He further revealed that the proposal is expected to be formally presented to Cabinet, with the aim of ensuring stricter controls on access to explicit digital material.
“We are working towards taking this to Cabinet to ensure that before anyone accesses an X-rated site, they must provide either a driver’s licence or a national ID card. This will help us identify who is accessing such sites and prevent children from being exposed to that content,” he stated.
Sam George added that exposure to pornography at an early age could have long-term consequences on children’s development, values, and decision-making, stressing the need for proactive policy interventions as internet penetration continues to expand nationwide.
