Paternity tests in Cameroon: a growing trend challenging traditional norms

Many individuals in Cameroon are moving beyond simply accepting their partners’ announcements of an impending birth. While these citizens typically assume their responsibilities from the initial prenatal appointments through to delivery, a growing number are later seeking confirmation of their biological connection to the newborn.

This emerging trend is observed not only in common-law relationships but also within marriages formally recognized under Cameroon’s civil law.

The motivations behind this shift are diverse, yet a central concern unites them: a desire to prevent potential deceit. Georges Ebanga, a resident of Yaoundé’s Tsinga district, articulated this sentiment: «Women have become incredibly resourceful. Some attribute paternity to multiple men for a single pregnancy, solely to gain financial advantage. I’ve decided to verify everything because I am prepared to pursue legal action for breach of trust and fraud against anyone who attempts to deceive me», he declared.

In a city taxi not far from Bastos, I encountered a man who had personally experienced such dishonesty. He recounted, «For twelve years, I raised a child believing she was my own. Then, one day, her mother returned her to her biological father. I swear, I nearly had a breakdown. That experience is precisely why I now insist on a paternity test for any child attributed to me», he said.

Despite this increasing adoption, paternity testing is not universally embraced by all Cameroonians. Many perceive it as a Western import, conflicting with traditional African values that emphasize a child’s belonging to the entire community rather than solely to their biological parents.