Sam George Pushes Mandatory National ID Verification for Access to Adult Websites

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, , has disclosed plans to introduce a mandatory age-verification system that would require individuals to present a National Identity Card or Driver’s Licence before accessing pornographic websites in Ghana.

The proposed policy, which is expected to be submitted to Cabinet for consideration, forms part of the government’s broader strategy to shield minors from sexually explicit online content and promote responsible digital citizenship.

Speaking at the , the minister stressed the growing need for stronger safeguards against children’s exposure to harmful content on the internet.

According to Mr. George, Ghana could draw lessons from the United Kingdom’s age-verification framework for adult websites, which requires users to prove they are at least 18 years old before gaining access to such platforms.

“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 stated.

The minister argued that increasing concerns over pornography consumption and the growing sexualisation of young people make stricter online regulations necessary.

He revealed that government is actively working on a proposal that would compel users seeking access to X-rated websites to verify their age through official identification documents.

“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 explained.

Mr. George warned that early exposure to sexually explicit material could have lasting consequences on children’s moral development, value systems, and decision-making abilities.

He emphasized that as internet penetration continues to expand across the country, protecting children from inappropriate digital content must remain a national priority and a key component of Ghana’s digital governance agenda.