Pornographic material still a crime - Jake

Mr Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs on Tuesday told Parliament that government would soon establish a committee of experts to deliberate on the menace of Internet pornography for appropriate action to be taken.

He said the recommendations of the committee would inform government commitment to crack down on such unwholesome practices.

The Minister, who was answering parliamentary questions, said dealing in pornographic and indecent materials was still a crime under the Criminal Code as well as against the guidelines on Broadcasting of the National Media Commission.

Miss Akua Dansua, NDC-North Dayi had asked the Minister what steps were being taken to check the excessive thrust of offensive and pornographic material in the country via the Internet.

Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey said: "What is of great concern to us is the access to these undesirable sites and materials by the under-aged. Such minors require supervision and control by teachers, parents, public interest groups and Internet Cafe proprietors."

He advised that the minors should not be left alone to explore the Internet without adult supervision, saying that all guardians should endeavour to improve their understanding of the use of the Internet in order to give better guidance and supervision. Later in the day a report on the Cartegena Protocol on Bio-Safety was adopted.

The Protocol seeks to ensure safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effect on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking cognisance of the risk to human health, while focusing on trans-boundary movement.