News
Autism not contagious …Support awareness campaign
An autism advocate and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Liztino Centre for Children with Special Needs, Mrs Angel Bertino, has urged members of the public to actively support autism awareness campaigns, emphasising that autism is not contagious.
She noted that many people mistakenly believe they or their children could be affected simply by associating with individuals on the autism spectrum. However, she clarified that this belief was incorrect, as autism cannot be transmitted through contact or interaction.
She said this at the sixth edition of the Autism Awareness Month celebration held at the St. Peter’s Senior High School in Accra to mark World Autism Day observed on Thursday, April 2.
The event, championed by autistic advocate Young Phil Bertino as part of his 19th birthday celebration, was used to raise awareness on autism while calling on the government to prioritise the implementation of inclusive education in Ghana.
Describing the misconception as both harmful and unfortunate, she stressed the need for increased public education.
“This is a myth and very unfortunate. This is the reason we have to come together to educate and raise awareness, so that people can support children with special needs instead of avoiding them out of fear,” she said.
Mrs Angel Bertino also urged the government to enforce inclusive education policies across the country. This, she said, would ensure that children with special needs are accepted, supported and given access to quality education.
“There are many qualified teachers in the country, but they are often assigned to roles where their skills are underutilised. Teachers must be posted to areas where they can make meaningful impact,” she stated.
She also encouraged students to support their peers with special needs, helping them feel comfortable enough to learn and contribute to national development.
Mrs Bertino further educated students on autism and tasked them to serve as ambassadors by promoting understanding, love and care for individuals with the condition.
“We are all one people and as we celebrate World Autism Day globally, it is a call for everyone to get involved and support persons with special needs,” she noted.
She added that teachers must lead by example, as showing care and inclusion would encourage students to do the same.
In his remarks, Young Phil Bertino thanked the school for accepting him and called on parents to show greater love and support for their autistic children.
He noted that through his example, many children like him could become independent, pursue education, secure employment and contribute meaningfully to society.
A member of the school’s management, Mrs Gifty Otoo, commended the organisers for the impactful programme, describing it as both educational and eye-opening.
She added that the school has made significant efforts in supporting students with special needs, many of whom have been successfully integrated and are performing well.
Caption: Mrs Bertino (left) supporting his ward, Young Phil to play the piano.
A new international whitepaper on democracy in Africa has placed Ghana’s Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, at the centre of a major research study on the role of opposition parties in strengthening democratic governance across the continent.
The study is being conducted by the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP) in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ghana.
It uses Ghana’s 2025/2026 parliamentary session as a case study to examine how opposition parties can contribute to peace, development and democratic stability.
President of the ACCP, Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, said the research forms part of a wider continental project aimed at identifying successful governance models in Africa.
He explained that the chamber is interested in promoting positive African stories and finding practical democratic systems that other countries can adopt.
Mr. Dwomoh-Doyen said political differences should not create division or hostility among leaders and citizens.
He stated that despite belonging to different political sides, people must work together in the interest of national development.
According to him, Ghana’s democratic journey and parliamentary system made the country an important case for the study.
The whitepaper, titled “A Strong and Responsible Opposition in Africa: A Ghanaian Case Study (2025/2026 Review)”, reviews the Minority Leader’s parliamentary activities, including his statements, motions and media engagements.
Researchers are also conducting public opinion surveys in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale as part of the study.
Head of ACCP’s Liberia branch, Dr. Murphy T. Jackson, said African countries should formally recognise and support the office of the Leader of the Opposition through legal structures and institutional resources.
He noted that such systems would help reduce the chances of unconstitutional changes of government on the continent.
Head of Research at ACCP Ghana, David Adofo, described Ghana’s opposition institution as one of the strongest in Africa.
He said although the current research focuses on Ghana, future studies would examine opposition institutions in other African countries.
Deputy Secretary General of UPF-Ghana, Tegha King, stressed the importance of a responsible opposition in national development.
Speaking on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), he said opposition parties should not be seen as enemies of progress.
According to him, respectful debate, alternative policy ideas and cross-party dialogue are necessary for strong democratic institutions and national peace.
The research comes at a time when some African countries are experiencing political instability and military takeovers.
Despite these challenges, Ghana continues to be recognised as one of Africa’s stable democracies, having recorded several peaceful transfers of power since 1992.
The completed whitepaper will later be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal, while the abstract has already been made available upon request.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
NuGhana Expat Center to launch ‘AfroTango Platform’ to support diasporans in Ghana and Africa — Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang
The Executive Director of the NuGhana International Expat Center, Nana Kofi Opoku-Agyemang, has disclosed that the organisation is preparing to launch the “AfroTango Platform” to support diasporans with integration in Ghana and across Africa.
According to him, the platform is intended to help diasporans navigate African systems, which many often find difficult to understand after relocating from Western countries.
“The AfroTango Platform will provide a structured bridge, offering orientation, vetted service referrals, and a trusted community to help them integrate smoothly for business or relocation,” he said.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang made the disclosure while speaking about a proposal submitted by the NuGhana International Expat Center to the government of President John Dramani Mahama for the establishment of a specialised multi-agency Diaspora Protection and Human Capital Task Force.
According to their statement, the proposal has been submitted to the President and shared with key institutions, including the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of National Security, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of Diaspora Affairs, and the Black Star Experience Secretariat.
Mr. Opoku-Agyemang explained that the proposed task force would help protect diasporans and foreign nationals from organised fraud and exploitation while also helping the country benefit from their expertise, investments, and professional skills.
He noted that many diasporans relocating to Ghana often face challenges such as land disputes, business fraud, and difficulties finding trusted people to guide them through local systems.
President of the African Chamber of Content Producers (ACCP), Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, who endorsed the proposal, described the initiative as timely and necessary.
According to him, the leadership of NuGhana understands the realities and expectations of diasporans because of their experience living in Western countries.
He appealed to the government to consider the proposal seriously, stating that it could help protect lives and investments while encouraging more diasporans to contribute to national development.
The statement identified key challenges facing diasporans, including organised land and business scams, the absence of a unified system to engage skilled professionals entering the country, and fears over investment security.
Some diasporans who spoke on condition of anonymity also welcomed the initiative and said a state-backed protection system would give them more confidence to relocate and invest in Ghana.
NuGhana said it has already built a human capital and risk database over the past four years to catalogue diasporans and foreign nationals according to their professions, skills, investment interests, and reported incidents.
The organisation added that it is ready to engage the President’s designated team to demonstrate its database and begin a pilot phase of the proposed framework.
By: Jacob Aggrey
