Beyond Criminalisation: DNA Policy as a Democratic Safeguard for Ghana

When Gomoa Central MP Kwame Asare Obeng (A-Plus) announced his intention to introduce a private member’s bill to criminalise paternity fraud and false rape allegations, the proposal immediately sparked debate. For some, it was a bold step to protect men’s rights and restore family trust. For others, it raised alarms about the dangers of politicising private disputes.

Legal practitioner Prince Benson Mankotam has been among the most vocal critics. He warns that criminalising paternity fraud would be “bad for our democracy,” arguing that family disputes should remain civil matters, not criminal prosecutions. His caution deserves serious attention. But it also opens the door to a broader conversation: if criminalisation is risky, what alternatives can Ghana pursue to protect family integrity?

As a writer and strategist, I have explored this question in depth. In two recent essays published on Modern Ghana, I proposed policy frameworks that offer preventive and ethical solutions to the problem of paternity fraud. Together with Mankotam’s caution, these ideas point to a middle path—one that strengthens families without destabilising democracy.

The Democratic Risk of Criminalisation

Mankotam’s warning is rooted in a simple truth: democracy thrives when the law respects the boundary between public order and private life. Criminalising paternity fraud risks collapsing that boundary. It would turn intimate family disputes into criminal trials, politicising personal pain and overburdening an already stretched justice system.

Moreover, criminalisation could erode trust in democratic institutions. Imagine a Ghana where family disagreements are routinely prosecuted, where fathers and mothers face criminal charges over DNA disputes. Such a system would not only strain courts but also risk weaponising the law in marital, political, or inheritance battles. As Mankotam rightly notes, this is a path that could weaken rather than strengthen our democracy.

Mandatory DNA Testing: Prevention, Not Punishment

In my August 2025 article, Strengthening Family Integrity: A Case for Mandatory DNA Testing at Birth in Ghana, I argued that prevention is better than punishment. Mandatory DNA testing at birth would provide clarity from the very beginning of a child’s life. It would eliminate uncertainty, reduce disputes, and protect both fathers and children from the devastating consequences of misattributed paternity.

This approach is administrative, not punitive. It does not criminalise mothers or fathers; it simply ensures that the truth is established at birth. Nigeria’s forensic report, which revealed that 25% of tested men were not biological fathers, underscores the scale of the problem. Ghana cannot afford to ignore such statistics. Mandatory testing would be a proactive safeguard, preventing disputes before they arise.

Ethical DNA Policy: Balancing Rights and Values

In November 2025, I published Civic Education Proposal: Ethical DNA Policy for Ghana, which offered a different but complementary vision. Instead of blanket mandates, this proposal emphasises voluntary testing with ethical safeguards. It recognises that DNA policy must respect cultural values, children’s rights, and family legacies.

An ethical DNA framework would protect against misuse—ensuring that testing is not weaponised in political or marital disputes. It would also anchor reform in civic education, helping families understand the importance of truth and integrity while preserving dignity. This balanced approach offers flexibility, allowing families to choose testing while ensuring safeguards against abuse.

Convergence of Legal and Policy Perspectives

At first glance, Mankotam’s caution and my proposals may seem to diverge. He warns against criminalisation; I advocate for DNA policy reform. Yet in truth, they converge on a shared principle: family integrity must be protected without destabilising democracy.

Criminalisation is a blunt instrument. It punishes after harm has occurred. DNA policy, whether mandatory or ethical, is preventive and constructive. It addresses the root of the problem—uncertainty—without dragging families into criminal courts. In this way, Mankotam’s legal caution and my policy proposals complement each other, offering Ghana a roadmap that is both democratic and innovative.

The Way Forward
The debate over paternity fraud is not a binary choice between criminalisation and inaction. Ghana has the opportunity to craft a nuanced policy that protects families, respects democracy, and upholds cultural values. Mandatory DNA testing at birth would provide certainty and prevent disputes. Ethical voluntary testing would balance rights and responsibilities. Civic education would ensure that reforms are understood and embraced.

Together, these measures would strengthen family integrity without turning private pain into public prosecution. They would protect children’s identities, safeguard fathers’ rights, and preserve mothers’ dignity—all while keeping democracy intact.

A-Plus’s proposal to criminalise paternity fraud has sparked an important national conversation. But as Prince Benson Mankotam warns, criminalisation risks undermining democracy. Ghana must resist the temptation to punish and instead embrace prevention, ethics, and education.

The future of Ghanaian families lies not in punishment, but in policy innovation. Mandatory DNA testing and ethical safeguards offer constructive alternatives that protect integrity without destabilising democracy. If we choose wisely, we can build a system that strengthens families, preserves trust, and upholds the values that make our democracy strong.

References
- Akpalu, Atitso. Strengthening Family Integrity: A Case for Mandatory DNA Testing at Birth in Ghana. Modern Ghana, August 20, 2025. Link:

https://www.modernghana.com/news/1425518/strengthening-family-integrity-a-case-for-mandato.html

- Akpalu, Atitso. Civic Education Proposal: Ethical DNA Policy for Ghana. Modern Ghana, November 14, 2025. Link:

https://www.modernghana.com/news/1448431/civic-education-proposal-ethical-dna-policy-for.html

✍️ Retired Senior Citizen
For and on behalf of all Senior Citizens of the Republic of Ghana 🇬🇭

Teshie-Nungua
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