Ghana's government is preparing a policy proposal that would mandate identity verification before users can access pornographic websites, according to Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George. The initiative aims to prevent children from viewing explicit online content.
Speaking at the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values, the Ningo-Prampram MP disclosed that the proposal is currently being prepared for Cabinet consideration.
"We are working on going to Cabinet on that to make sure that before you access any X-rated site, you must put either your driver's licence or your national ID card so that we know who you are and who is going to that site to prevent children from being exposed to such content," Samuel Nartey George stated.
UK Model Inspires Ghana's Approach
George cited the United Kingdom's implementation of similar measures as an example for Ghana to follow. He noted that UK users must provide driver's license information to verify they are 18 years old before accessing adult websites.
"Today in the United Kingdom, for you to access a pornographic website, you need to put your driver's licence for them to be able to determine that you are 18 years," the minister explained during his conference address.
Child Protection Concerns Drive Policy
The Communications Minister expressed concerns about the developmental impact of unrestricted pornography access on minors. He argued that early exposure to explicit content could harm children's moral development and decision-making abilities.
"This is the real threat. Because when a child is oversexualised at an early age, it affects their development, it affects their thinking, it affects even their morality and their values and their standards," George emphasized.
Connection to Broader Legislative Agenda
During his address, George linked the proposed ID verification system to his support for the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. He positioned both initiatives as part of efforts to protect children and preserve what he described as African family values.
"When my colleagues and I in Ghana introduced the Family Values Bill, one of our key arguments has been that we are fighting for the innocence of Ghanaian children because our children must be protected," the minister declared.
Cultural Values Preservation
George maintained that Ghana has a responsibility to preserve cultural and family values for future generations. The proposed policy forms part of broader government discussions around protecting children and maintaining traditional African values in the digital age.
The timeline for Cabinet consideration and potential implementation of the ID verification requirement remains unclear. The proposal represents a significant step in Ghana's evolving approach to internet regulation and child protection in the digital space, aligning with similar initiatives being considered in cybersecurity and digital policy across Africa.