The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has proposed a policy that would require individuals to present a National Identity Card or Driver’s Licence before accessing pornographic websites, as part of efforts to prevent minors from viewing such content.
According to the minister, the proposed measure forms part of efforts to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit content online and promote responsible internet use.
Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Values and Sovereignty, Sam George said the government is considering the policy as part of broader initiatives aimed at safeguarding minors from harmful digital content.
He cited the United Kingdom’s age-verification regime for adult websites as a model Ghana could adopt to strengthen child protection measures.
“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 measures have become necessary because of concerns about the impact of pornography and the over-sexualisation of young people.
Sam George revealed that the proposal is expected to be presented to Cabinet for consideration.
“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.
He warned that exposure to sexually explicit material at an early age could negatively affect children’s development, values, and decision-making.
According to him, protecting children from inappropriate online content should remain a priority as digital access continues to expand across the country.
