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Overcoming autism …the story of young Phil Bertino
Fourteen-year-old Phil Bertino, is the first child of Mr Phil Bertino and Mrs Elizabeth Acquah Bertino.
He was born healthy and grew up with no sign of abnormality but his development took a different turn at age six when he was diagnosed to be autistic.
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The signs had started when he was about two years old. The one letter words he could pronounce had disappeared and he was only making unintelligible sound.
When the condition started worsening at age three, his parents sought medical attention and were advised to enroll him in a speech therapy. He enrolled for six months but there was no remarkable progress.
His parents, determined to ensure he grew up a ‘normal child,’ tried other medical and spiritual remedies but eventually had to come to terms with the reality that Phil was, indeed, autistic.
The knowledge of the condition and the fact that it has no cure was unbearable for the couple but this did not crush Phil’s dream of becoming a professional cyclist.
In September this year, he was part of over 70 professional riders at the 17th edition of the Teshie Homowo Cycling Challenge.
He put up a splendid performance to finish his 76km race in 2:45:33secs with an average speed of 27.56km/h, received massive cheers for his effort, and was presented with a special trophy, medal and jersey for his achievement on the day.
sports including basketball
Autism Journey
Mrs Bertino, speaking about her son’s autism journey in an interview with The Spectator, said that they consulted a number of people for advice and were led to one professor who claimed he had a cure.
However, after relying on the professor’s expensive and imported supplements for some time, there was no result.
According to her, although there was some improvement in other medical and herbal options they tried, the effect on the autism symptoms was minimal.
The search for solutions led Mrs Bertino to discover a ‘touch-based’ remedy which she applied leading to Phil’s massive improvement.
She subsequently formed the Liztino Centre for Children with Special Needs to help parents who have autistic children with young Phil as a case study.
Challenges
She said that some of the challenges the condition presented included Phil’s inability to express himself verbally and understand whatever was said to him.
“He was hyperactive as he could not sit for a moment or concentrate on any subject. There was also attention deficit as he was easily distracted and could not focus on one thing at a time. He sometimes left the house unnoticed and would be missing, and on one of such situations, he was found the next day after he got missing,” she noted.
In addition to other complications, Phil used to “fear certain colours and objects and could not remember what he was taught the next minute,” according to his mother.
Academically, he had to change five schools within a short time as teachers and school authorities found it difficult to cope with his disturbing condition.
Improvement
Mrs Bertino said that the symptoms of autism stated above had “gradually vanished.”
“Our stress as parents has been significantly eliminated and Phil is virtually independent. He has developed interest in cycling and undertaken various trips over long distances to create autism awareness,” she emphasised.
Phil is now an Autism Ambassador and celebrated across the country which he continues to give hope to other children and parents. Aside cycling, he plays tennis, basketball and is a good swimmer also.
Mrs Bertino, urged parents with autistic children to get them involved in sports as it contributed to their overall development and management of the disorder.
“Parents should avoid locking up such children in their rooms as they could be useful when supported and provided with the necessary things as any other child.
“The acceptance of autistic children in Africa is not the best and efforts must be made to raise the awareness so they would be considered part of society,” she said.
Appeal
While urging society to be supportive of children with autism, she further called on government and other stakeholders to “go beyond policies on paper and do more to support children with autism.”
Mrs Bertino, said that plans were far advanced for Phil to travel outside the country and compete in cycling as he had developed very fast and could challenge for laurels.
“Phil is good and can do well and possibly become a champion in cycling in the near future. Such children should not be hidden but rather be exposed to sporting activities and be nurtured to develop like any other talented children,” she stressed.
By Michael D. Abayateye
Aurora Commodore-Toppar believes in mentoring others and creating opportunities for people to thrive, emphasising that teamwork is key to success. For her, fulfillment comes not only from personal achievements but also from seeing others grow and succeed.
A devoted wife, mother of three, farmer, entrepreneur, and committed Christian, Aurora embodies the balance of faith, family, and service. Guided by values such as hard work, integrity, determination, justice, passion, and fairness, she lives a life anchored in principles that inspire those around her.
Aurora credits much of her success to a strong family support system and her ability to plan wisely, even managing her leave days to allocate time for work, farming, and family. “Proper planning and a supportive family have kept me going,” she says with a smile.
Early Leadership and Multitasking
Aurora’s leadership journey began long before her professional career took off. As a student, she learned the importance of structure and multitasking through unexpected lessons in water management, which she fondly recalls as the foundation for her discipline and organisational skills.
A Promise Fulfilled
Perhaps the most remarkable chapter in Aurora’s journey is her fulfillment of a long-standing promise to God. Before her Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2000, she battled a serious health challenge and vowed that if God healed her and helped her complete her education, she would give back to her alma mater, Aburi Girls’ Senior High School.
Years later, upon visiting the school, she was disheartened by the state of the old basketball court, which also served as a car park. Guided by faith and a proactive spirit, she spearheaded the construction of an ultra-modern multi-purpose basketball court. The facility not only provides a safe and inspiring space for sports but also serves as a potential source of income for the school through community rentals.
Inspiration Through Sports and Life Lessons
Aurora views her service as part of her journey toward self-actualisation, drawing inspiration from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. “In sports, you win, lose, or draw. These lessons translate into everyday life, teaching us to learn from our experiences and those of others,” she reflects.
Faith, Family, and Entrepreneurship
Aurora attributes her strength and values to her parents, mentors, and key professional influences. Beyond her professional commitments, she finds peace in farming crops and livestock, spending quality time with her children, and exploring creative hobbies such as bead-making and producing fresh juices. These hobbies eventually birthed her entrepreneurial venture, Pamkat Ventures. “Pamkat was born out of leisure time,” she explains.
A Life Philosophy
Acknowledging the demands society places on women—from marriage and motherhood to career and home management—Aurora remains grounded in faith. “It only takes the grace of God to get to the top,” she believes. Her family—a loving husband, two intelligent daughters, and a promising son she affectionately calls her “future president or minister for defence”—remains her greatest source of inspiration.
Her life philosophy is simple yet powerful: “It’s okay to dream big, but don’t let it remain just a dream. Plan it, act on it, and make an effort towards it. You don’t need titles to achieve anything. Once you are passionate about it, go for it.”
Through her acts of service, mentoring, and unwavering determination, Aurora Commodore-Toppar continues to inspire others, proving that when passion meets integrity, ordinary women can achieve extraordinary impact.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Spectator
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For Mrs. Patience Antonio, founder of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute (WLDI), women’s empowerment is more than a popular phrase; it is a lifelong mission to help women rediscover their strength, purpose, and voice. Her journey has been shaped by years of advocacy, research, and field experience working with women and children across Ghana.
Her words carry both compassion and conviction as she reflects on the state of women in society. “We can’t keep talking about women’s empowerment when we don’t protect and support them,” she says gently. “Many women are struggling in silence, carrying heavy emotional and financial burdens. Real empowerment must build the woman from within so she can rebuild her family and her community.”
That conviction led to the establishment of the Women’s Leadership Development Institute, a training and mentorship hub designed to nurture women into strong, self-aware leaders. The Institute focuses on transforming women at all stages of life through a three-level training model that blends leadership education with practical life skills.
At the first level, WLDI works with professional and career women, including those already occupying leadership or administrative positions but seeking growth, balance, and renewed confidence. Mrs. Antonio believes that leadership begins with personal transformation. “Many professional women face burnout because they carry multiple responsibilities at work and at home,” she explains. “Our training helps them rediscover balance, develop emotional intelligence, and strengthen their leadership capacity.”
The second level targets women in business and entrepreneurship. These are the women who, despite limited resources, are running shops, farms, and small enterprises across Ghana. “We want to highlight women who are already leading their own businesses,” she says. “They are the silent engines of our economy. With the right mentorship, they can scale their ventures, manage finances prudently, and create job opportunities for others.”
To Mrs. Antonio, however, the third level is the most crucial—the empowerment of grassroots women. These include market women, small-scale traders, and women in the informal sector. She describes them as “the backbone of the economy but also the most neglected.”
“From our research, many social challenges we face as a country stem from this group,” she notes. “Some of these women struggle to provide for their children, leading to issues like streetism and unstable families. Others fall repeatedly into unhealthy relationships because they lack self-awareness and support. When we empower them with knowledge, discipline, and self-leadership, we strengthen the very foundation of society.”
Beyond personal and economic empowerment, the Institute also pays attention to community wellbeing. WLDI has been active in mobilising women to address sanitation and health issues in local markets. “Women are central to community hygiene and food safety,” Mrs. Antonio explains. “By educating market women on health and sanitation, we create cleaner, safer spaces for everyone.”
Her work is not limited to adult women. Mrs. Antonio’s vision extends to youth leadership, particularly among young women. She believes that grooming must begin early if the nation hopes to produce visionary leaders. “Leadership should not start when people are old,” she insists. “It should begin with discipline, values, and mentorship from a young age. We must prepare the next generation now, not later.”
Through her work at WLDI, Mrs. Antonio continues to advocate for policies and social systems that recognise women’s contributions at all levels, from the marketplace to the boardroom. She often reminds participants that empowerment is not about competition with men but collaboration for societal growth.
Her life’s mission is deeply rooted in her belief that when women grow, the ripple effects are felt in every home and community. “When a woman grows, a family grows,” she says with a smile. “And when families grow, nations become stronger.”
She also believes that national development demands inclusive leadership. WLDI therefore seeks to build a database of trained women across various sectors, ready for leadership roles, appointments, board representation, and decision-making platforms. She is convinced that when women are empowered to lead in homes, communities, workplaces, and public spaces, the ripple effect is stronger families, better societies, and a progressive nation.
Mrs. Patience Antonio is a wife, mother, transformational speaker, leadership advocate, and mentor who has spent years championing the growth and holistic development of women and youth. Her vision has touched lives in homes, churches, institutions, and professional spaces. She is married with three children and loves reading.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
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