The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has ignited a nationwide conversation after announcing plans to introduce a Private Member’s Bill aimed at criminalising paternity fraud in Ghana.
The proposed legislation, which he says has already been fully drafted, is expected to be formally presented before Parliament of Ghana, setting the stage for one of the most socially sensitive legal debates in recent years.
A Plus made his intentions public during an appearance on United Showbiz on February 14, 2026, where he clarified that the bill is not an attempt to criminalise adultery or regulate private relationships.
Instead, he framed the proposal as a moral and legal intervention designed to protect men from being deliberately misled into raising children who are not biologically theirs.
According to the lawmaker, paternity fraud represents not just a personal betrayal but a serious social injustice, particularly when men are compelled to assume long-term financial, emotional, and parental responsibilities under false pretences.
He argued that knowingly attributing a pregnancy to a man who is not the biological father should be treated as a criminal offence, rather than a private domestic matter.
A Plus further explained that, in his view, women who become pregnant are aware of the biological father of their child, and therefore any deliberate misrepresentation of paternity should attract legal sanctions.
He stressed that honesty must prevail in relationships, especially when the consequences involve a child’s identity, upbringing, and long-term welfare.
The Gomoa Central MP also disclosed that the bill is not a conceptual proposal but a completed legal document ready for parliamentary processes.
This positions the initiative not as a public opinion exercise, but as a concrete legislative move that could soon face debate, committee scrutiny, and possible amendments within Parliament.
If passed, the proposed law is expected to introduce custodial sentences for individuals found guilty of intentionally misrepresenting the biological paternity of their children.
Supporters of the bill have also advocated for complementary reforms, including mandatory DNA testing after childbirth, as a preventive mechanism to establish paternity early and reduce future disputes.
The proposal has already begun to divide public opinion, with supporters describing it as a necessary step toward justice, accountability, and family integrity, while critics raise concerns about privacy, women’s rights, enforcement challenges, and the broader social implications of criminalising paternity disputes.
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