The Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation is preparing to ask Cabinet to approve mandatory age verification for pornographic websites, citing risks to children’s development and decision-making as internet access expands nationwide.
The Minister for Communication, Samuel Nartey George said the proposal would require users to present a National ID Card or Driver’s Licence before accessing X-rated sites.
Speaking at the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Values and Sovereignty on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Sam George framed the move as a child protection measure.
He warned that early exposure to sexually explicit material could harm children’s behavior and long-term development.
“It is important that we understand the danger that we face with pornography. Protecting children from inappropriate online content must remain a national priority,” the Minister noted.
He pointed to the United Kingdom as a model, where adult sites now require users to prove they are 18 or older using official ID.
“We don’t need to rewrite the script. Today, in the UK, for you to access a pornographic website, you need to provide your driver’s licence,” he said.
The planned policy forms part of the Ministry’s broader effort to promote responsible internet use and shield minors from harmful digital content. If Cabinet approves, the system would also allow authorities to identify who is accessing adult sites.
Sam George said growing online pornography and concerns about the “over-sexualisation of young people” had made stricter safeguards urgent.
The proposal is yet to be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.
