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Ghana considers mandatory ID verification for accessing pornographic websites
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, announced that the Ghanaian government is developing a policy to mandate identity verification for access to pornographic websites. Speaking at the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values on June 4, 2026, he noted that many countries are increasing restrictions on adult content. The initiative aims to protect children from exposure to harmful online material. George cited the United Kingdom's requirement for a driver's license to access such sites as a precedent. He stated that Ghana's proposed policy, currently being discussed with Cabinet, would require users to provide a driver's license or national ID card to verify age before accessing X-rated content. The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram emphasized that early exposure to sexual content can negatively impact children's development, thinking patterns, morality, and overall values, underscoring the importance of safeguarding children to preserve societal cultural foundations.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
The family of celebrity chef Parveen Ashraf has revealed the fatal shooting of her husband, Qamar Ashraf, in Tema, Ghana, on November 7, 2025. Qamar, a 68-year-old civil engineer, was reportedly shot after two men on a motorbike demanded mobile phones from him and his son, Imran, during an evening meal. Imran stated that the gunman took only his father's phone, and after Qamar pursued the suspects, a single gunshot was heard. Qamar later died from the gunshot wound. The family believes there are unanswered questions and that the incident was more than a robbery gone wrong, also expressing concerns about the investigation's handling. Six months after the shooting, Parveen Ashraf confirmed her husband's death in a video, recounting how she learned of it from her son. Qamar had relocated to Ghana to work on infrastructure projects, regularly traveling between Ghana and the UK. The family hopes that increased attention to the case will help clarify the circumstances of his death.
Must ReadDr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party NPP, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to withhold his assent to the recently passed Tribunals Bill. Dr. Bawumia emphasized that legislation with such significant implications should undergo extensive national consultation before becoming law. He argued that reforms to Ghana's justice system require broad public consensus, not just a parliamentary majority. The NPP flagbearer warned that the judiciary is a crucial democratic institution and any changes to its structure demand transparency, inclusiveness, and careful consideration. He urged President Mahama to delay assent and initiate a nationwide dialogue involving key stakeholders such as the judiciary, legal professionals, organized labor, civil society organizations, and political parties. Dr. Bawumia highlighted that the Trades Union Congress has also called for the bill's withdrawal, citing concerns that it could be used to weaponize justice delivery. He also referenced the government's own Constitution Review Committee, which recommended removing regional tribunals from the constitution. Dr. Bawumia proposed a broad consultative process to ensure that any law reshaping the justice system is based on national consensus.
The Ghana Medical Trust Fund GMTF has evolved from legislation into a functional national institution, providing critical medical interventions and investing in specialized healthcare across Ghana. Addressing Parliament鈥檚 Majority Caucus Retreat, the Administrator of the GMTF stated that the fund has established a strong institutional foundation and is fulfilling its mandate to offer financial relief to patients with chronic non-communicable diseases while bolstering the healthcare system. The Administrator lauded Parliament for passing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund Act, calling it a historic decision that has offered hope to many Ghanaians who previously struggled to afford life-saving treatment. The GMTF prioritized building transparent governance systems, recruiting technical personnel, and developing operational structures. A nationwide needs assessment was conducted to identify critical equipment and infrastructure gaps in hospitals. A pilot program provided life-saving financial support to 50 patients with chronic non-communicable diseases, allowing the fund to test its systems before a nationwide rollout. The GMTF has also modernized healthcare infrastructure through partnerships, resulting in donations of essential medical equipment and consumables. A key achievement highlighted was the commissioning of the reconstructed Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at the National Cardiothoracic Centre of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which began complex cardiac procedures sho