Four in 10 paternity tests conducted in Ghana in 2025, about 42.3 per cent, excluded the tested man as the biological father, according to a new report by the Blueprint DNA Organisation.
The findings were presented at a stakeholder and media briefing at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, highlighting the increasing reliance on scientific methods to confirm biological relationships.
Medical Director of Blueprint DNA, Abeiku Ghansah, explained that the report is based on anonymized laboratory data reflecting trends among individuals seeking clarity over paternity.
The report also shows that nearly 59 per cent of children involved in testing are under six years old, suggesting that many families seek confirmation early in a child’s life.
Tests conducted more than 10 years after birth recorded the highest exclusion rates, between 53 and 59 per cent.
Dr Ghansah noted that 87 per cent of tests are carried out for personal reassurance rather than legal or immigration purposes, emphasizing the private nature of paternity concerns in Ghana.
He called for responsible use of DNA testing, alongside stronger regulation and public education on its social implications.
The briefing further revealed regional disparities in testing, with more than 80 per cent concentrated in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, while higher exclusion rates were noted in the Western, Upper East, and Volta regions.
In addition, the event introduced Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), a method capable of detecting genetic conditions such as Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome from as early as eight weeks of pregnancy.
Blueprint DNA said the report is part of ongoing efforts to provide data-driven insights into DNA testing and its role in Ghana’s healthcare system and society as demand continues to grow.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com