Sports
Using cycling to change autism story in Ghana
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Autism, a serious developmental disorder, especially among children, that impairs the ability to communicate and interact is a major health concern not only in Ghana but across the globe.
The effects of the disorder impact largely on the development of children and often prevents them from having the normal playful childish life as compared to the supposedly ‘normal children’.
It also prevents them from engaging in physical activities especially sports.
Globally, autism patients are unable to participate in active sports; let alone become professionals except for charity purposes.
The story is not different in Ghana, especially in the rural areas where such children are labeled as outcast and many of their age mates do not wish to mingle with them or play games together.
But that notwithstanding, 13-year-old Phil Bertino, Prince Effah, eight years, and Michael Djanie, three years; all autistic children have defied the odds and found solace in cycling.
The three young children with tutelage from one of Ghana’s top cyclists, Isaac Sackey, have taken up the sport and actually working to become professionals.
When the Times Sports visited their regular training grounds at the Legon Botanical Gardens, the three, along with other children rode their hearts out in a way that practically makes it difficult to differentiate them from the other children.
Excited with the journey of her ward in cycling, mother of young Phil, Mrs Angel Elizabeth Bertino, who came along with other parents to support their kids said, she was willing to push Phil all the way to the top of the sport.
She said the young lad has exhibited massive interest for the sport and that has impacted hugely in his upbringing in general.
Mrs Bertino who runs the Liztino Center for Children with Special Needs, added that, Phil started playing piano, tennis and basketball but anytime he saw people ride the bicycle, he was happy and wanted to join them.
“That was when I realised the interest in the sport and got in touch with Sackey to help four months ago and he has not looked back since. Research also shows that cycling helps with the development of their brains and it has really impacted as he could now read and does almost everything as his peers,” she explained.
“I want him to become a professional and travel across the globe for competitions. The mountain bike racing is usually an individual race and he could go anywhere he wants. He really loves what he is doing and I am ready to take him to wherever he wants to be,” she stressed.
Engaging in cycling, she said, has also helped Phil to reach 90% recovery from the disorder, adding that, with early interventions such as introducing such kids to sports would go a long way to help them live a normal life.
She urged parents with autistic children to get them involved in sports as it helps with their development and management of the disorder.
“Parents should avoid locking such children in their rooms because when they are supported and provided with the necessary things as any other kid, they could rise to the challenge. Phil is a happy kid now and can do a lot for himself and siblings,” she added.
“The acceptance of autistic children in Africa is not the best and efforts must be put in place to raise the awareness so they would be considered as part of society. The country and society as a whole has not been very supportive of children with autism and it is very terrible,” she stated.
She expressed appreciation to Sackey and the cycling fraternity for supporting Phil and other kids to become the best they could and urged other sports federations to also find a way to reach out to such group of people in society.
Father of Prince, an eight year old autistic child, Mr Kweku Effah, added that with just three weeks of riding, he has seen some positives in the child’s development, adding that the sky was the limit for the kid as he was also willing to support him to get to the top.
“They must be supported to unearth their talents. I think cycling is the right sport for these children. He used to ride around at home but now do so with skill. They can do wonderful things that normal kids cannot do; they can do exploits and must be supported to get to the highest level possible,” he added.
Mr Ebenezer Djanie, (young Michael’s father) said engaging his ward in cycling was part of the healing process but could consider making him a professional following his development.
“We need to understand the kids, accept them as they are and help them overcome what they are going through now. Government and other stakeholders must go beyond policies on paper and do more to support children with autism,” he stated.
The sports fraternity, he said, has also not accepted these people. They can excel in various disciplines because they have the potential and advised the authorities to develop special competitions for them.
For coach Sackey, it has been a delight training the kids.
He said they have extraordinary strength and learn very fast and practically does better than some normal kids.
“Phil is very good. He can do well and possibly become a champion in cycling in the near future. Such kids should not be kept in their rooms alone but rather be exposed to sporting activities and be nurtured to develop like any other talented child,” he stressed.
Aside creating jobs for them, he said, it could also help put them in good health and shape which was essential to their entire development.
Of a truth, this remains an area yet to be exploited despite having Special Olympic teams that only come to light when there are international competitions, but cycling has shown the light and other sports must follow to put smiles on the faces of the affected children.
BY MICHAEL D. ABAYATEYE
With the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off on September 4, clubs have continued to fine-tune their squads, with a number of late additions and free-agent deals shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
From established Premier League sides such as Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Medeama, Aduana FC, FC Samartex and Berekum Chelsea to ambitious lower-tier clubs, there has been significant movement in the transfer market.
Here is a rundown of the notable deals involving Ghana Premier League clubs:
Medeama SC strengthen across the pitch
Medeama have been among the busiest clubs, adding depth in midfield, defence and attack. The Mauve and Yellows have brought in Etse Dogli from Heart of Lions on a three-year deal, while Emmanuel Boateng arrives from Eleven Wonders on a two-year contract. Dominic Frimpong, a free agent, has also joined to bolster the attack on a three-year deal. Other additions include Usman Safianu, Abdul Rahman Yaya, Emmanuel Annor from Nations FC, and winger Emmanuel Fobi, who arrives from Georgia’s Dila Gori on a three-year deal.
Medeama have also recruited Issah Ibrahim from Latvia, Sudanese goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid Salman, midfielder Blessing Kwabena Dwamena, Jelillu Osman from New Edubiase, Emmanuel Anokye from Sporting Club Accra, and right-back Ebenezer Adade from Dreams FC.
Port City FC add experience and attacking options
Port City have also been active, bringing in several players to strengthen their squad. Kwabena Adu Meider and Francis Gyetuah arrive as free agents, while Stephen Diyou joins from Hohoe United.
The club have also secured Gideon Waja from WAFA, Ishak Suraj from Lebanese side Al Ahly, free-agent defender Samuel Gyimah, goalkeeper Daniel Amissah on a two-year deal, and Elliot Affotey from Heart of Lions on a three-year contract. Daniel Osei Snr., a defensive midfielder from Hohoe United, completes another addition to the squad.
Hearts of Oak bring in several young talents
Hearts of Oak have invested heavily in young players, including a number of long-term deals. Abdul Aziz arrives from Swedru All Blacks on a three-year deal, while free agent Ebenezer Amoh joins on a two-year contract. The Phobians have also secured Rockson Kyeremeh and centre-back Manuel Osei Djan from PAC Academy, both on five-year contracts.
Other arrivals include Caleb Koranteng from Victory Club Warriors, Alex Banso from Namoro FC, free-agent right-back Prince Amevor, goalkeeper Vicente Anane, Ivorian forward Mamadou Kader Kourouma, and free-agent defensive midfielder Dominic Nsobila.
Swedru All Blacks continue recruitment drive
Swedru All Blacks have added a sizeable group of players. Among them are Mohammed Musah Salifu from Tamale City, David Lartey from Dreams Chasers, Prince Arthur and Kelvin Ampoful from Nations FC, and winger Samuel Osei Kofi from Nsuopun Fidelity.
Free agent Faisal Chawetey, forward Vincent Baah Jnr from Tema Faith, centre-back Michael Abrokwa from Nations FC, forward John Ahuma Ocansey, midfielder Godfred Yartey from Cheetah FC, winger Andy Koramoah from Auroras, right-back Kojo Quansah from Samartex, and defender Latif Blessing from Cheetah FC have also joined.
Samartex add four
FC Samartex have strengthened with four additions. Ebenezer Okrah and Prince Affum arrive from Sefwi All Stars, while Joshua Fuseini joins from Golden Kick. Meshack Adjetey Sowah also arrives from Vision FC on a three-year deal.
Aduana FC bolster defence and attack
Aduana FC have brought in several players, including free agent Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, defensive midfielder Samuel Tenedu from Berekum Chelsea, and centre-back Boa-At Regain from Bechem United. They have also signed free agent Stephen Amankona, right-back Abdul Latif Mohammed from Victory Club Warriors, winger Emmanuel Abban from Bechem United, Zakaria Fuseini from Techiman Liberty Youth, and free-agent left-back Bismark Anim on a two-year deal.
AshantiGold make international additions
FC Ashantigold have recruited from both Ghana and abroad. Raphael Kodjo Etchonou arrives from ESA Academy in Togo, while Burkina Faso defender Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore joins from Etoile Filante. The club have also signed free-agent right-back Kamal Suraje on a three-year deal and goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, also on a three-year contract.
Other additions include Fatao Seidu, Sirinu Huzaifah from Skyy FC, Saddick Ibrahim Abubakar from Skyy, Ishmael Acquah from Skyy, William Addo from Unity FC, free-agent winger Alhassan Benny, and goalkeeper Thomas Kwabena Osei from Heart of Lions.
Gold Stars add attacking firepower
Gold Stars have brought in Nicholas Amekpewu from Elmina Sharks on a three-year deal, while centre-back Claude Shooting Bortey arrives as a free agent. They have also signed Kwame Opoku, another free agent, on a two-year deal.
Heart of Lions build new-look squad
Heart of Lions have also been busy, with several free-agent signings. Francis Odoom from Hohoe United joins on a two-year deal, alongside centre-back Abdul Jalilu, goalkeeper Edmund Wireko, winger William Oduro, centre-back Pius Baffuor, winger Sena Ati, and forward Mustapha Yakubu. Stephen Afoakwa from Faith Football Academy is another addition.
Other notable movements
Berekum Chelsea have recruited forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year deal, while Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye have also joined.
At Asante Kotoko SC, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim arrives on a two-year deal, while the Porcupine Warriors have also added Emmanuel Mamah, Ivorian centre-back Koffi Marius Ange Bini, free agent Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah, Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad, and Albanian defender Umar Ali from Partizani.
Karela United have signed Wisdom Jonas Manyina from RTU on a three-year deal, alongside Frank Ackom from Nsuopun Fidelity, Iddi Mahfuz, Edmund Afurapoe from Eleven Wonders, goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, Angel Ewulla, Collins Ntiful from Okwawu United, Issah Abdul Basit from Golden Warriors, forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Ebenezer Amegah from Hohoe United, and free-agent forward Prince Opoku Agyemang. Vision FC have also added Kwadwo Boamah from Hohoe United and Faruk Mohammed from Nations FC.
The final preparations begin
With the transfer deadline now passed and the Ghana Premier League scheduled to begin on September 4, attention will turn from recruitment to preparation.
The sheer volume of movement suggests that several clubs will enter the new campaign with significantly different squads. For coaches, the immediate challenge will be turning these new arrivals into cohesive teams before the opening whistle of the new Premier League season.
The Black Princesses will play Polish side Sleza Wroclaw, a team in the Orlen Ekstraliga Kobiet, in their first international friendly match in Wroclaw, Poland.
The game will be held behind closed doors as Ghana continue preparations ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly offers Black Princesses head coach Charles Sampson another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, build cohesion and sharpen tactics.
The game will be played on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Stadion Sportowy Olawka in Wroclaw at 14:00 GMT.
The Black Princesses are making their eighth consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament, aiming to make it past the group stage for the first time in their history.
