News
‘Engage autistic children in physical activity to develop their brains’
Mrs Angel Bertino, the Director of Liztino Centre for children with special needs, has admonished parents to engage their autistic children in physical activity to develop their brains.
She said parents should never lock-up such children in their rooms, because they could be useful when supported and cared for properly.
Autism, a serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact, is a huge health concern especially among children across the globe.
The effect of the disorder impacts largely on the development of children and often prevents them from having a normal playful child life as compared with normal children.
Particularly in Ghana especially in the rural areas, such children are labelled outcasts and many of their age mates do not want to associate with them.
That has largely impacted negatively on the development of autistic children and hampered their ability to fit into society as they are usually considered to be liabilities rather than assets.
However, 14-year-old Phil Bertino has changed the narrative as he has defied all odds to live a normal life and gradually become an “Ambassador of Autism” in the country.
Born autistic and unable to speak and relate properly like other growing babies, young Phil following an exceptional support from his mother, Mrs Angel Bertino, could now relate and live an independent life.
The young lad who is near 100 per cent recovery, has become a cycling sensation, plays the piano, tennis, basketball, attends a regular school and living his life to the fullest.
Globally, April is celebrated as the World Autism Month under the auspices of the United Nations.
In view of this, young Phil, with the support of his mother, held series of campaigns across the country to raise the awareness on autism.
Mrs Bertino told “The Spectator” that, his ward had survived autism and was doing amazing things as a child and urged parents to bring out their children as they could live a normal life as any other normal children.
“It started with realising his interest in the sport and got him into cycling along with research on managing autistic children and can boldly say he is almost 100 per cent recovery,” she stated, stressing that he could now read and do almost everything as his peers.
She urged parents with autistic children to bring them out and get them to engage in physical activities as it would develop their brains and help them to recover.
“We need to understand the children , accept them as they are and help them overcome what they are going through now. Government and other stakeholders must go beyond just policies on paper and do more to support children with autism,” she stressed.
By Michael D. Abayateye
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
