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
Mr. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie, the Member of Parliament for the Odododiodioo Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, has assured the Accra Street Academy of his support in achieving its mission of uplifting vulnerable children within the community to break the cycle of poverty. “Without the needed support, your efforts may go round in circles due to the enormity of the task. This should not be left on the shoulders of the Academy alone. You need support from both government and the private sector. With that, the Academy would be in a good position to shape the future of these children on the streets,” he said.
The Accra Street Academy, originally formed in 1985 as a boxing arena, now serves as a school for deprived children, with most of its population numbering hundreds of pupils being neglected children from the streets of Jamestown and its environs. Mr. Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie made these remarks at the annual stakeholders’ meeting and fundraising event held over the weekend under the theme “Empowering Street Children: Health and Wellness.” The event is one of the Academy’s annual programmes, organized to raise funds and other forms of support to aid the school in catering to the needs of the children and holding its Christmas get-together.
According to the MP, it is worth noting that these children are taught and provided with two meals and a snack daily through the support of benevolent members of society. In view of this, he promised to facilitate the acquisition of documents needed for the construction of an Astroturf within the school’s premises. He noted that “every child has the right to play, and therefore I pledged to do my best to secure the needed documents” for the project to commence.
The legislator disclosed that over the years, the academic programmes of the Accra Street Academy have transformed children surviving on the streets into successful adults. He therefore urged other members of society to partner with the school to “help pupils rise higher for a better Ghana.” In the 2025/26 academic year, 22 pupils were absorbed by the Accra Metro Education Directorate as they transitioned into various Junior High Schools, while still returning to the Accra Street Academy for academic support.
Ms. Yvonne Abba-Opoku, a chartered governance advisor and senior executive in the nonprofit and charity sector, stated that the best gift to give a child was education.
By Spectator Reporter
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Mrs Regina Kudom, Senior Midwifery Officer at the New Atuabo Health Centre in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, has urged expectant mothers to attend antenatal clinic regularly for safe delivery.
She revealed that “in Tarkwa and its environs many pregnant women prefer staying at prayer camps, we are not against that, you can be there, but when your time is up for your antenatal session make sure you attend.”
Mrs Kudom gave the advice when the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) observed the World Prematurity Day with pregnant women at New Atuabo, Huniso and Awudua health centres.
World Prematurity Day falls on November 17, every year, and it is celebrated to raise awareness about the challenges faced by pre-term babies and their families.
She said research suggested that sex during pregnancy could soften the cervix and potentially aid in labour preparation.
“That is the reason why we encourage pregnant women to have sex with their partners, if they do not have any health implications,” she added.
Mrs Kudom appealed to the GFGF to upgrade the New Atuabo health centre as the current structure was too small because they received many patients daily.
Madam Ayishetu Mohammed, Project Coordinator for GFGF, explained that they received donations from Project C. U. R. E and the items were given to health facilities in their operational area.
She stated that they noticed there were baby dresses, sanitary pads, and baby apparel, so they decided to distribute them among expectant mothers in three of their host communities.
Madam Mohammed said because the foundation was interested in preventive care, they brought a midwife from the Tarkwa Mine hospital to educate the pregnant women.
She extolled the midwives in New Atuabo health centre for the education they gave to the pregnant women and implored them to heed to the advice given during antenatal visits to reduce maternal deaths in the Tarkwa Nsuaem and Prestea Huni-Valley Municipalities.
Mr Paa Kwasi Egan, Deputy Chief Physician Assistance, emphasised that a pregnant woman being anemic meant she was not eating a balance diet, and added that, “Some of these women do not have money to buy food or visit antenatal clinics.”
He said when men follow their wives for antenatal visits, they would be educated extensively on why they should provide funds for their pregnant wives.
Mr Egan, therefore, encouraged all men to be involved in their pregnant wives’ antenatal care appointments so they could learn more about pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. – GNA
