Jail adulterous men if you want compulsory DNA testing - Ellen Ama Daaku

A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communication Team, Ellen Ama Daaku, has criticised calls for compulsory DNA testing in Ghana, arguing that the proposed law unfairly targets women.

She made the comments while reacting to a private member’s bill before Parliament seeking to make DNA testing mandatory for every child before a birth certificate is issued.

Ama Daaku tackles doctors over anonymity demands in Charles Amissah report

The bill, sponsored by Yakubu Mohammed, proposes compulsory paternity testing for all babies in the country.

Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on Monday, May 11, 2026, Daaku questioned why the proposed legislation focused mainly on women and not men.

“I don't see why we want to legislate it against women, because when you listen to the tone of the bill, they've never said anything about male responsibility. It's about the women,” she said.

She argued that men who doubt the paternity of their children can voluntarily conduct DNA tests instead of making it compulsory for everyone.

“If you are a man and you think your children are not yours… find a good lab, go and check, and deal with it. But you cannot force all of us, the whole country, to do it automatically,” she stated.

Daaku also questioned why similar sanctions are not being extended to men who father children outside their marriages.

“Can we also have a law that says that if you're a man and you also go and have a child with somebody else, you too should be jailed?... Why can't we have the same law for the men, but you want to have it for the women,” she added.

She further insisted that individuals who suspect infidelity should personally seek testing without involving the courts.

'I 100% support paternity DNA tests' - Dzifa Tega

“If you are a man, and you think that the child doesn't look like you, it doesn't behave like you, don't even take it to court. Just walk into any lab [for a test],” she said.

MAG/VPO

Stakeholders mark May 9 Anniversary with strong anti-violence message