The Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), Duncan Amoah, has criticised a proposal by the Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, to introduce mandatory ID verification for access to online adult content as part of efforts to strengthen child online protection.
The proposal, which seeks to restrict minors from accessing pornographic websites through identity checks, has sparked debate over privacy, access, and the effectiveness of digital safeguards for children.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, June 6, Mr Amoah argued that the measure risks overreach and could interfere with the private consumption of legal adult content by consenting adults.
He said that while child online protection is important, the policy should be carefully designed to avoid unintended consequences for adults, adding that individuals should not be subjected to mandatory identification requirements to access adult material.
According to him, discussions around online regulation should focus on broader digital safety concerns rather than measures that could be perceived as intrusive or unnecessary for responsible adult users.
“Sam George is now fighting for pornography, saying that if you want to watch porn, you should provide an ID. Please, he should go and focus on other things. The kind of stress people go through in this country, it is not everything they will say publicly. You may not have a need for X-rated videos. An elderly man in his room with his wife, 65 years old, it is the only way they sometimes enjoy themselves,” he said.
The minister’s proposal forms part of ongoing government efforts to regulate online spaces and enhance protections for minors in the digital environment.
