Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has disclosed that the government is considering measures that would require individuals to verify their age using a driver’s licence or Ghana Card before accessing pornographic websites in Ghana.
Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Values and Sovereignty, the minister said discussions are underway with Cabinet on the proposed policy, which is aimed at preventing children from being exposed to pornographic content online.
According to Mr. George, similar measures have been introduced in the United Kingdom, where users are required to verify their age before accessing pornographic websites. He argued that such policies were adopted after authorities recognized the harmful effects of pornography and the oversexualization of young people.
“Today in the United Kingdom, to access a pornographic website, you are required to provide a driver’s licence so that they can verify that you are 18 years. Ask yourself why they are doing that. It is because they have seen the danger and the damage that pornography and oversexualization have done to a generation of young UK citizens,” he said.
Mr. George added that Ghana should adopt a similar approach, noting that the proposed system would require users to provide official identification before accessing age-restricted websites.
“We are working towards taking this to Cabinet to ensure that before you access any age-rated site, you must provide either your driver’s licence or your national ID card, so that we know who is accessing the site,” he said.
The minister maintained that exposure to pornographic content at an early age could negatively affect children’s development, values and thinking.
“This is the real threat, because when a child is oversexualized at an early age, it affects their development, thinking, morality, values and standards,” he stated.
He stressed that protecting children should remain a national priority, adding that society has a responsibility to safeguard future generations from harmful influences.
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